Van der Merwe said he was ordered to dispose of Mbense’s body by local police chief Julius Mkhwanazi. He has since been suspended over the accusations, which he denies. No arrests have been made in this case.
Sotheni, arrested over the weekend, was one of three suspects police had identified in Van der Merwe’s murder.
Security was tight at the court as armed officers escorted Sotheni, dressed in all black, into the packed courtroom. The former officer showed no emotion and stared ahead during proceedings.
In contrast, Van der Merwe’s grieving wife, also dressed in black, could be seen wiping away tears during the brief hearing.
Van der Merwe’s sister, Natasha, told reporters ahead of the proceedings that the family believed the person who ordered his murder was “definitely someone my brother knew”.
Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said Sotheni was the alleged hitman while another suspect, Wiandre Pretorius, was the driver of the car used in the drive-by shooting. Pretorius is the suspect who killed himself.
This car has since been seized but police are still looking for the firearm used in the murder, believed to be an AK-47.
Sotheni also faces charges of attempting to kill Van der Merwe’s wife and children.
The case was postponed to 25 March for a formal bail application.