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Widow's viral TikTok sparks fury after slain witness' murder
The Star
|December 08, 2025
A VIRAL TikTok video posted by the wife of slain Madlanga Commission witness Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, who was known as Witness D, has drawn widespread sympathy and renewed anger following his killing in Brakpan last week Friday night.
Van der Merwe, 41, a former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer, was shot dead in front of his family shortly after 8 p.m.
Police said the attackers were traveling in a white Nissan NP200 bakkie with a canopy, and confirmed that an AK-47 automatic rifle was used.
Van der Merwe had recently testified before the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating alleged corruption, the protection of criminal networks and political interference in the justice system.
The TikTok video, posted under the handle &_lea_gray_ollie by Leanne van der Merwe, has reached more than 500 000 views, earning over 38 000 likes and 3 000 comments.
The montage shows Van der Merwe with his children - eating ice cream, playing outdoors and spending time on what appears to be a farm.
This story is from the December 08, 2025 edition of The Star.
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