A man connected to South Africa’s Madlanga Commission narrowly escaped death on Thursday morning. Gunmen fired at him outside his home in what police believe was an organized hit. The victim walked away without any injuries, but the attack has raised serious concerns about witness safety and the dangers faced by people involved in the high-profile investigation.
Police have identified the target as Wiandre Pretorius, who is reported to be linked to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department. The shooting happened in Van Dyk Park, near Boksburg in Ekurhuleni. The attack took place at around 09:25 am on Thursday, 5 February 2026. Pretorius was arriving at his residence when the gunmen struck.
Reports state three gunmen allegedly opened fire on Pretorius. Police said 16 bullets were shot at Pretorius as he was about to drive into his residence when attacked by unknown suspects driving a white Toyota Vitz. The attackers fired multiple rounds before quickly driving away from the scene. It was a close call that could have ended very differently.
Remarkably, Pretorius survived the attack without a scratch. The victim escaped unharmed. After the shooting stopped, a recording reviewed by the news outlet captures Pretorius calling for backup immediately after the shooting. This shows how frightening the experience must have been, even though he was physically unharmed.
The attack is not happening in isolation. Pretorius was implicated by slain Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, also known as Witness D at the Madlanga commission of inquiry, in the murder of Emmanuel Mbhense. Mbhense was allegedly tortured by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department in April 2022 during interrogation. This makes the simple picture much more complicated.
The connection to Witness D is particularly significant. Wiandre Pretorius is an alleged South African Police Service (SAPS) informer attached to the late Witness D. The man is said to be among several people currently under investigation in connection with the murder of Witness D in Brakpan, east of Johannesburg, in December last year. This creates an easy way to see how dangerous this case has become.
The timing of the attack has made many people ask questions. Preliminary information suggests that Witness D mentioned the victim during testimony. With testimony being given at the commission and investigations ongoing, this shooting could be related to efforts to silence people who know too much. Authorities are looking closely at whether the attack is connected to the commission’s work.
Police are taking the incident very seriously. Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni is on his way to the scene in Boksburg. Having such a senior officer respond shows how important this case is considered to be. The motive of the shooting is unknown at this stage, and investigations are under way, according to police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.
Forensic teams have been working at the crime scene to gather evidence. They are collecting bullet casings, examining the area, and trying to find any clues that might lead them to the attackers. The white Toyota Vitz used in the attack is being searched for across the province.
The Madlanga Commission was set up to investigate criminality, political interference, and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system. The commission has heard shocking testimony from various witnesses about alleged wrongdoing, torture, and murder involving police officers and other officials. The investigation has exposed a dark side of law enforcement that many people find disturbing.
This attempted hit comes at a tense time for the commission. Witnesses have been afraid to testify, and some have tried to avoid appearing before the inquiry. The murder of Witness D in December sent shockwaves through the proceedings and made other potential witnesses even more nervous about speaking out.
The attack on Pretorius shows the real dangers that people face when they become involved in such investigations. Whether as witnesses, suspects, or informers, those connected to the Madlanga Commission are finding themselves in a dangerous position. The shooting raises questions about how well witnesses and other involved parties are being protected.
As the investigation continues, police are appealing to anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. They want to find the three gunmen and understand who ordered the attack. The answers could be crucial to understanding the bigger picture of what is happening around the Madlanga Commission and who might want to stop the truth from coming out.
