Matipandile Sotheni, a former member of South Africa’s SAPS Special Task Force, is back in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Thursday in relation to the murder of Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe. The court appearance follows weeks after Sotheni was denied bail over the killing of a witness identified in court reporting as Madlanga Commission witness D, described as van der Merwe. The case focuses on allegations surrounding the death of the commission witness and Sotheni’s alleged involvement. The next steps in the matter are set to be dealt with by the magistrate’s court, following the earlier bail refusal. Multiple reports describe the return to court as part of the ongoing prosecution process, with the matter not yet concluded. The reports do not indicate a trial outcome or further details about the evidence presented at this stage, beyond confirming the bail denial and the scheduled court appearance. The proceedings continue under the same charges linked to van der Merwe’s death.