Charl Kinnear honoured by SAPS as investigation into killing continues

A wreath laying ceremony was held for slain Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) section commander Charl Kinnear on Wednesday 30 September, with the top cop’s family and high-ranking members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in attendance.

‘Kinnear was a role model’ 

Kinnear’s superior, Major-General Andre Lincoln, delivered an emotional eulogy for the fallen crime fighter. 

“It has been a trying time since that afternoon on Friday 18 September,” he said. “I imagine the pain is more intense for the Kinnear family. Something as tragic as the death of of Charl Kinnear… it is easy to be diverted and forget what has happened.”

“The fact of the matter is, all of us here have lost a dear friend, a husband, a father, a brother, colleague, a role model.”

He said that his late colleague was a prominent figure in the service, and that he should be honoured after dedicating his life to seeking justice. 

“Whichever title you wish to assign to Chart Kinnear, one thing that cannot be disputed – he was much loved and revered. That is what brought you here, in his honour.”

CCTV images of Kinnear killing emerge 

Images from CCTV cameras outside Kinnear’s home have emerged in recent days, with the killer clearly shown walking casually to the top cop’s vehicle in a mask and hoody before firing a magazine of bullets into the car. 

The chilling images demonstrate the ease with which Kinnear’s killer was able to murder the high-ranking officer, who was central in a host of gang-related cases in the Western Cape prior to his untimely death. 

Police investigating the high-profile case, which they have indicated was the result of a gang-related motive, has thus far led to the arrest of one person – 39-year-old former rugby player Zane Killian – but Police Minister Bheki Cele is adamant that further arrests are soon to be made. 

Arrested suspect to appear on 5 October  

Killian – who was arrested and formally charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal interception of communication –  appeared in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s court on Friday 25 September. Killian is being held at the Bellville police station. 

The court postponed the matter to 5 October, when Killian will face a bail hearing. 

More arrests are expected to be made as the investigation continues, and Kinnear’s funeral is set to take place on Saturday 3 October.

Donkie Booysen: ‘Killian tracked me too’ 

Speaking to The Daily Voice, controversial Cape Town businessman and alleged leader of the Sexy Boys gang, Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, said that Killian had also attempted to orchestrate a hit on him. 

“From about 4 September, my people informed me I was tracked by Kilian,” he said. “The proof I have is that from 6 March to 18 September I was tracked 193 times by him.”

“From 2018 till today it was 521 times but there are six people involved there, he said. “I don’t know Kilian and all I heard was that he was a rugby player but I have never met him before.”

He challenged Killian to admit to tracking him when he appears in court again. 

The Hawks, who are investigating the case, have not responded to an inquiry from The South African relating to reports that they have made a second arrest relating to Kinnear’s murder.