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- A man was arrested Thursday in connection with the murder of Western Cape Detective Charl Kinnear.
- The man is former rugby player Zane Kilian.
- He appeared in court on Friday and will remain behind bars until his next appeace.
A former professional rugby player has become the first person to appear in court in connection with the murder of Cape Town detective Charl Kinnear.
Zane Kilian, 39, appeared in Bishop Lavis Magistrates Court shortly before 10:00 am on Friday.
READ | Suspect Arrested for the Murder of Chief Constable Charl Kinnear
The heavily built man wore a dark hood and was handcuffed. Around him were police guards armed with automatic assault rifles.
The court heard that Kilian faces three charges: murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal interception of communications. The latest charge is believed to be related to the tracking of Kinnear’s cell phone.
Zane Killian
The National Prosecutor’s Office was represented by two lawyers, Blaine Lazarus and Greg Wolmarans, and it was with them that the defense team had negotiated the next steps, which were formally endorsed by the court.
This included Kilian’s detention in Belville police cells until October 5, when he will make his next appearance.
READ | Murder of Charl Kinnear: Police must explain why armed protection of anti-gang cop was withdrawn – Expert
Defense attorney Eric Bryer told News24 that he hoped a date could be set for Kilian to request bail.
Observing the proceedings was Major General Andre Lincoln, Kinnear’s highest ranking officer in the Anti-Gang Unit.
At a community memorial service Thursday, Provincial Investigations Chief Major General Jeremy Vearey, who also served as one of President Nelson Mandela’s bodyguards with Lincoln, vowed, “Don’t back down. Don’t give up. We will be furious, until the last drop of blood. “
Vearey then posted this message on Facebook.
Kilian was carried out of Bishop Lavis’s court in a fast-moving, heavily armed police convoy.
Kilian’s father, Hein, is understood to be himself a retired policeman who worked in Gauteng for many years.
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