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By Sisonke Mlamla 
September 30, 2020
Cape Town – Western Cape Police Commissioner Yolisa Matakata described the death of chief police officer, Charl Kinnear 52, as a great loss, and said South Africa’s police services will not rest until the perpetrators are behind bars.
Matakata swore there would be justice for Kinnear and said investigators were working to bring his killers to the account. “As we all know, an investigation into the murder is underway. An attack on the police officer is an attack on the state.”
Matakata spoke at a police memorial service in Belhar on Wednesday, as tributes were paid and anger was expressed over Kinnear’s death.
The service was attended by Kinnear’s colleagues at the AGU, the province’s senior police officers, the Albert Fritz Community Security MEC, police unions, and other members of the police services.
The service was punctuated with heartbreaking moments as AGU members placed wreaths outside the venue and candles were lit in their honor within the venue.
Kinnear’s commanding officer, AGU Chief Andre Lincoln, said Kinnear was a dedicated and committed police officer. “It has been a very hard and difficult time since the Friday of his death. I imagine the pain is more intense for the Kinnear family.”
Lincoln said he was a man of honor, a lover of his family, a husband, a brother and a colleague. However, he said that he was aware that for others he was not so loved and loved, hence his brutal murder.
“Kinnear left shoes that no one can fill, because they were his and only his,” he said.
His nephew, Grant Kinnear said; “All of you (referring to the police officers present) knew Charl as a policeman or have known him as a member of the uniform, but I knew him as his brother.
“After my parents got divorced, we grew up together and he automatically became a father and a brother at the same time. He was very strict but caring,” Grant said.
“He was quiet but welcoming, he was a thinker, teacher, analyst, best friend and protector. While we lived in the same house, he always brought his colleagues home,” she said.
He said what stood out the most was that when Kinnear invited his colleagues to lunch and they sat around the table, he treated them exactly as he would his brothers and sisters.
Kinnear was shot and killed outside his Bishop Lavis home on September 18 in what is believed to be a hit ordered by suspects he had been investigating.
A reward of 1 million rand was offered for information leading to the successful prosecution of his killers.
Zane Killian, a former professional rugby player based in Johannesburg, has been charged with the murder. He appeared in court in Cape Town on September 25.
Kinnear had been involved in several high-profile cases that resulted in the arrest of several prominent gang figures. His investigations also included underworld figures based in Gauteng and other parts of the province.
Among the investigations he was involved in was the alleged extortion of protection money from business owners in the Cape Town CBD. Several well-known figures from the underworld have been linked to the racket.
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