Gangster convicted of killing cop

GANGSTER Christopher Jantjies has been convicted of the murder of metro police officer Ben Koopman, who was killed in front of his son two years ago.

Jantjies, a member of the Dixie Boys, is due to be sentenced today.

He was also convicted of robbery with aggravating circumstances, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition. In February 2016, Koopman, in uniform and driving a marked car, was about to leave his home in Eerste River after lunch. His son Quilen stood at the gate to say goodbye when his father was ambushed.

Quilen saw two men walking in the street, but didn’t think much of it.

The court judgment read that as Koopman came out of the house and was about to open the driver’s door, he was shot by Jantjies at close range.

“Jantjies kicked Koopman on the face and on his stomach and said, ‘Ek het gesê ek gaan jou kry’, loosely translated as ‘I told you I would get you’. Jantjies then ran away with Koopman’s gun and two-way radio,” the judgment read.

Quilen’s statement was taken on the same day, and he did not reveal any identities as he feared for his life.

“Jantjies had just killed his father in front of him and would not hesitate to kill him as well.

The police took his statement in his house, which was full of people, and it was within their audience, and he was not sure who he could trust,” said Judge Daniel Thulare.

When Quilen went back to school, he learnt that the gang leader was looking for him and wanted to know if he could identify the person who had killed his father.

Judge Thulare found the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The Hawks has welcomed the court’s finding.

Captain Philani Nkwalase said: “He was arrested on September 30, 2016 following an intense investigation into the murder incident of a metro cop working in Khayelitsha.

“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) has welcomed the conviction of the metro cop murder convict.”