Man Named in South Africa’s Police Corruption Probe Found Dead
A South African man embroiled in a significant police corruption investigation has been found dead, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a petrol station. The police are now looking into the circumstances surrounding the death of Wiandre Pretorius, 41, who claimed just last week to have survived an assassination attempt.
Key Details Surrounding the Corruption Probe
– Connection to the Madlanga Commission: Pretorius’s name surfaced during the ongoing Madlanga Commission, a corruption inquiry set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This investigation aims to probe allegations that organized crime syndicates have infiltrated government agencies, including the police.
– Witness Murder Case: The inquiry also examines the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbense, a witness believed to have been killed by police officers. Notably, four of the twelve individuals identified as persons of interest in this case have now died, according to police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe.
Timeline of Events
– Incident at Petrol Station: On Saturday night at approximately 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT), the police received reports of a man who had taken his own life at a petrol station in Brakpan, east of Johannesburg. Upon arrival, officers discovered Pretorius’s body alongside a firearm, prompting an investigation that includes reviewing CCTV footage of the scene.
– Personal Crisis Before Tragedy: Prior to his death, reports suggested Pretorius had engaged in a heated argument with his fiancée at the petrol station.
Corruption and Criminal Allegations
– Testimony of Witness D: In a previous hearing, an anonymous witness dubbed Witness D claimed he was instructed to dispose of a body belonging to an individual accused of robbery, allegedly tortured and killed by police. This witness later identified Pretorius, who had previously served as a police reservist but was not an active officer.
– Risky Circumstances: Tragically, the witness, Marius van der Merwe, was murdered just three weeks after his testimony. Mathe confirmed that Pretorius had been interrogated and his weapons confiscated in the context of van der Merwe’s death.
Investigation Developments
– Reduction in Persons of Interest: Mathe highlighted that Pretorius’s death now leaves only eight of the original twelve individuals linked to Mbense’s murder still alive. Three others were killed in what the police describe as execution style attacks—one in 2023 and two in the previous year.
– Ongoing Inquiry into Assassination Attempts: Authorities are investigating whether Pretorius himself may have been targeted. There are indications that he had reported a firearm attack on his vehicle shortly before his death.
– Possible Arrests: In connection with Mbense’s murder, Mathe noted that “arrests are imminent” following an investigation led by the independent police watchdog body.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Wiandre Pretorius adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing police corruption probe in South Africa. As investigations continue, the fate of the remaining persons of interest in this troubling case raises serious questions about accountability and the pervasive influence of organized crime within law enforcement. The scrutiny on these officials will remain intense as the search for justice in the Mbense murder case progresses.