State against alleged cop killer getting bail
THE man accused of killing an Eerste River metro cop made a brief appearance in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court yesterday, with the State indicating it would oppose bail should he apply.
Christopher Jantjies, 27, is expected to apply for bail on Monday when he returns to court for killing Ben Koopman, 53.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said an almost 10-month police investigation culminated in the arrest of Jantjies last Friday, when he was nabbed in Kleinvlei.
Koopman was gunned down while on duty after having lunch at his Eerste River home in February.
Two people were spotted fleeing from the scene with his service pistol and two-way police radio.
Ntabazalila said Jantjies will remain in custody pending his bail information.
“The indication of the investigation officer, Captain Jooste, is that he will oppose bail,” said Ntabazalila.
The Hawks arrested Jantjies on Friday last week after CCTV footage showed Koopman was ambushed by two suspects as he left his house in Eerste River.
The pair fled the scene with the 53-year-old officer’s service pistol and a hand radio.
Three suspects were taken into custody shortly after the murder, but none of them were charged.
In the footage from a security camera, two men are seen casually strolling towards Koopman, who is about to leave his house.
Koopman then chats to some people in his front yard, before walking to his official vehicle parked in the street.
On opening the door, the suspects pounce on him and wrestle him to the ground, out of sight of those standing in the yard.
After shooting him, the killers rip his radio and firearm from him.
One suspect gives the police officer a final kick before they run off.
It is at this point that the people at Koopman’s house rushed into the street.