Man implicated in Madlanga Commission survives after 16 bullets hit his vehicle

President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the urgent need for enhanced protection measures for whistleblowers and witnesses in high-profile cases. 

The president was responding to reports regarding another alleged hit, in which the witness’s car was reportedly shot 16 times on Thursday.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning in Van Dyk Park, has raised serious alarms regarding the safety of individuals testifying before the Commission.

Speaking to members of the media following an engagement with South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, Ramaphosa stated: “Witnesses in high-profile cases should not be identifiable and must be better secured.”

His remarks come in the wake of growing concerns about the security of those involved in sensitive investigations, compounded by the recent tragic death of another whistleblower associated with the Commission.

The attempt on Pretorius was confirmed by both the Gauteng police and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, with Gauteng Police Commissioner, Major General Mthombeni, indicating that the police are following possible leads that will help them apprehend those responsible for the alleged hit on Pretorius. 

"We are following up on the possible leads, and we will be using technology to help us with the investigation. The good thing is that the victim was able to escape the incident," he stated.

Mthombeni revealed that the police found Pretorius' vehicle had been directly targeted, with no less than 16 bullet holes lodged in it, in what appears to be yet another attempt at destabilising the ongoing probes by the Commission and the Parliamentary Ad Hoc committee probing allegations of political interference in the work of the police.

"From our observations, the car has 16 bullets lodged in it, and we are now investigating an attempted murder case following a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday morning in Van Dyk Park in the Dawnpark policing precinct," he added.

This alarming incident is not an isolated event. The Madlanga Commission has been marred by violent encounters.

Pretorius was implicated by another witness, Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, who was himself fatally shot shortly after providing testimony. Van der Merwe had named Pretorius directly, accusing him of involvement in the alleged murder of Emmanuel Mbense, a crucial case that has drawn significant public scrutiny.

The Commission's spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, confirmed receipt of reports regarding the assassination attempt, expressing deep concern over the safety of all current and potential witnesses. "Yes, we got the news about an hour ago, and it had not happened too long before that," he stated, highlighting the precarious position of those who choose to come forward.

According to AfriForum spokesperson Barry Bateman, it is vital to recognise the gravity of Pretorius's involvement in the commission, with Bateman describing Pretorius as not merely "mentioned," but expressly accused by Van der Merwe of participating in heinous crimes.

"Allow me to clarify something about Wiandre Pretorius. He was not just 'mentioned' at the Madlanga Commission; confessed criminal, torturer, and body dumper Marius Van der Merwe directly accused Pretorius of being involved in the torture and murder of Emmanuel Mbense," Bateman stated in his X account.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za