Witness Who Testified Against Suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Gunned Down on the East Rand
A chilling wave of shock and fear has gripped Gauteng following the murder of a key witness who recently testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The man, known publicly only as Witness D for his protection, was shot dead on 5 December 2025 on the East Rand—just weeks after delivering explosive evidence implicating suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi in a disturbing cover-up.
Witness D’s testimony, delivered in November 2025, centred on allegations that Commissioner Mkhwanazi ordered him to dispose of a deceased man’s body to conceal wrongdoing. His identity had been deliberately shielded from the public during the hearings, underscoring the severity and sensitivity of the allegations he made. Tragically, the danger he feared appears to have caught up with him.
Allegations That Shook the Commission
During his testimony, Witness D recounted a harrowing incident that unfolded at the Brakpan home of a man suspected of robbery. According to him, the man died under puzzling circumstances after entering a bedroom with EMPD officers. When the situation escalated, Commissioner Mkhwanazi allegedly arrived at the scene and issued a direct order: the body had to be removed and dumped.
Witness D claimed he followed the instruction and used his bakkie to dispose of the body at Nigel Dam. In addition to testifying before the commission, he reported the incident to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Hawks.
Mkhwanazi denied the allegations during his own testimony, but he was expected to face further questioning over the claims in subsequent sessions.
Murder in Front of His Family
The brutality of Witness D’s killing has intensified public outrage. Crime Watch host Yusuf Abramjee confirmed that the witness—whose real identity was known to eNCA—was murdered in front of his family. Abramjee revealed that he had been leaving home with his wife and children when several men armed with AK-47s confronted him.
After an argument, the gunmen allegedly shot him in the leg, then the stomach, and finally delivered a fatal shot to the head before fleeing. According to Abramjee, the witness had confided that he believed he had only days to live. His plan was to go on national television, revealing his face and name to elaborate on his accusations against Mkhwanazi before it was too late.
A Pattern of Silencing Whistleblowers?
Witness D’s murder is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, whistleblower Revo Spies accused corrupt EMPD officers of orchestrating the killing of police informant Jaco Hanekom after he exposed illegal operations in Meyerton involving stolen copper cables. These back-to-back killings have intensified fears that informants and witnesses are being targeted to suppress evidence of deep-rooted corruption within the metro police ranks.
A Growing Crisis of Trust
The Madlanga Commission, already highlighting troubling allegations of abuse of power and criminality within the EMPD, now faces even deeper scrutiny following the fatal shooting. For many South Africans, the murder of Witness D represents a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to expose wrongdoing.
As the investigation into his killing begins, pressure is mounting on law enforcement to protect witnesses and to address the escalating climate of intimidation. For now, the nation watches anxiously, waiting to see whether justice will be served—not only for Witness D, but for all whistleblowers who risk their lives in pursuit of the truth.