Kinnear murder accused in isolation
MURDER co-conspirator Zane Killian has been isolated in his jail cell because he was in contact with a cellmate who displayed Covid-19 symptoms.
Killian was to apply for bail in the murder of Anti-Gang Unit detective, Charl Kinnear.
He appeared in absentia at the Bellville Regional Court yesterday.
The matter was postponed as the court heard that the accused was in isolation at the Goodwood prison, after he was in contact with a cellmate who displayed Covid-19 symptoms.
Last Tuesday, the matter was postponed after the court heard the leading prosecutor in the case was self-isolating after he had been in contact with a Covid-19-positive colleague.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the parties were advised of the development on Monday afternoon, and that the protocols of Goodwood prison where the accused was held were that all the accused in that group had to be isolated and were not allowed to attend court.
Ntabazalila said tests had been conducted on the cellmate and results were expected tomorrow or Friday.
As a result of the development the case had been postponed to December 15.
He said if the results came back positive, the matter would not sit on December 15 as the accused would be in quarantine for 10 days as required of any person who had been in contact with a person with Covid-19. It would be postponed to January 2021.
“If the results come back negative, the bail application will start at the Bellville Regional Court.”
He said the court had warned that there were other matters on the roll on that day and the bail application may be partly heard and then rolled over to January 2021.
In September, Killian was charged with the murder of Kinnear, conspiracy to commit murder, illegal interference in communication and fraud.
According to the State, he “pinged” Kinnear’s cellphones to establish the police officer’s location on the day he was shot dead.