Social Media Debates Gauteng Police's Ban on Members at Memorial for Reservist Wiandre Pretorius

• Gauteng Police prohibited its members from attending the memorial drive for former reservist Wiandre Pretorius
• The internal directive raised concerns over police transparency and member participation in private events
• Social media users share their varied opinions on the ban from the provincial police office

Justin Williams, a journalist at Briefly News since 2024, covers South Africa’s current affairs. Before joining Briefly News, he served as a writer and chief editor at Right for Education Africa’s South African chapter.

GAUTENG, BRAKPAN - Gauteng Police Emergency Services have barred members from attending a memorial drive planned for former SAPS reservist Wiandre Pretorius, triggering concern among some officers.

An internal directive issued by the Office of the Provincial Commander for Police Emergency Services instructed all unit commanders to ensure that no member, whether on or off duty, participates in the memorial drive, meeting or sight visit scheduled for 13 Friday at 17:30. The memo, dated 13 February 2026 and signed by Colonel N. Singh, stated that the instruction applies to all Police Emergency Services units in Gauteng. Commanders were ordered to communicate the directive to all members under their command.

Read also

SONA 2026: Ramaphosa announces SANDF deployment to tackle gang violence in Gauteng and Western Cape

According to the document, the memorial event was organised following media reports and information indicating that it would take place on Friday evening, 13 February 2026. Several SAPS members have since expressed concern over the prohibition, questioning why attendance in a private capacity is not permitted. Pretorius died by suicide last Friday, 6 February 2026. He had been regarded as a person of interest in the murder case of Witness D, identified as Marius van der Merwe. Police have not publicly detailed the reasons behind the directive.

South Africans weigh in

Social media users shared their opinions regarding the memo.

@StarJay_23 said:

"So sad that his former colleagues can't even participate in his memorial drive."

@Zolani82031 said:

"This is a classic Netflix series that starts with the murder and dumping of the body, and then, panicking, from there, one by one, they start eliminating each other."

@noziengobeni said:

"But they should let them go so that they can see the possible criminals who infiltrated the force."

@Mziwakhe_xha said:

"They must just do the drive with private security cars."

@Tshuks19 said:

"Those concerned SAPS members must be arrested."

Other stories about Pretorious

Police are moving closer to arrests in the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbense as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate has completed its investigation and handed the docket to the National Prosecuting Authority. IPID has identified eight suspects linked to the killing. Four people previously implicated are now dead. Wiandre Pretorius died by suicide after shooting himself. Another implicated individual, Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, was shot dead in December 2025.

Read also

Robert Marawa speaks out as R400 billion water crisis sparks outrage in Gauteng

A senior investigator from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has revealed the dangerous and complex realities of probing some of South Africa’s most high-profile criminal cases. Delivering her testimony on Wednesday, 12 February 2026, Nomsa Masuku, told the told the Madlanga Commission that DNA evidence linked to the December killing of “Witness D,” Marius van der Merwe, was collected not only at the scene but also from suspects tied to a Brakpan case dating back four years.

Source: Briefly News