Zane Kilian: Alleged mastermind behind top cop’s assassination denied bail

Zane Kilian, the man accused of running a tracking and tracing operation that led to the murder of top Cape Town detective Charl Kinnear in September 2020, has been denied bail on Thursday 18 March. 

Magistrate Nonkosi Saba ruled that Kilian – who is believed to have traced thousands of phone numbers under the guise of a private investigator – failed to prove that he is trustworthy and therefore decided to dismiss his bail application. The court said that he had tried to mislead them about his occupation and the details of his involvement in track and trace operations.

Kilian denied bail  

His attorneys have indicated that they will head to the Western Cape High Court to appeal the decision after the application was dismissed on Thursday, with Kilian involved in a separate case in which he is accused of his involvement in the plot to assassinate prominent Cape Town lawyer William Booth too. Both Kinnear and Booth are believed to have had their phones tracked by Kilian. 

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said that the decision by the Bellville Magistrates’ Court is a step in the right direction, but insisted that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that justice is served to those responsible for Kinnear’s death. Kinnear was the head of Cape Town’s Anti-Gang Unit and was shot several times in the driveway of his own Bishop Lavis home by a gunman who is yet to be arrested. 

“As the NPA we welcome this decision. It’s a decision that is heading towards the right direction of ensuring justice of the deceased and his family,” said Ntabazalila. 

“But it is still a long way to go as the investigation is still ongoing.”

Slain cop’s wife demands justice  

Kinnear’s wife, Nicolette, was in attendance as the court denied Kilian bail, and told the media outside the court that while the ruling is pleasing, they are still desperate to see justice fully served. 

Killian is expected back in court on April 15.