AGE OF THE ASSASSIN
Behind the murder of Lieutenant Charl Kinnear
In the 30 years that he rose through the ranks of the SAPS to become one of the country’s top cops, LieutenantColonel Charl Kinnear could have opted to live anywhere but Bishop Lavis.
He died outside his house on 18 September 2020, murdered by an assassin. Kinnear was the section head of the Anti-Gang Unit in the Western Cape.
On Friday, 25 September 2020, former Falcons and Griqua rugby player Zane Killian, 39, appeared in court in Bishop Lavis, facing charges of murder, conspiracy to murder and unlawfully intercepting communication.
Killian lives in Springs, an area Kinnear visited shortly before his murder. He is a debt collector who owns a tracking business related to lapsed car finances. He was arrested in Gauteng on Wednesday, 23 September.
The hearing was postponed to 5 October for a bail application, which the state will oppose.
The day before Killian’s appearance, at a memorial service at Kinnear’s home, those who knew, worked with and loved
Kinnear, sketched a deeper portrait of a man who gave his life for his work and his country and, most importantly, for his community.
Kinnear was a citizen who understood that great leadership was to respect and love the community you served, no matter how troubled.
Head of the Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit Major-General Jeremy Vearey recalled that Kinnear was a warrant officer when he had pitched up at Veary’s office almost 20 years ago asking to join the fight against crime and gangsterism, and corrupt cops.
From the start, said Vearey, Kinnear had shown exceptional talent.
Kinnear’s nephew, Grant Kinnear, paid tribute to his uncle, saying that in Bishop Lavis, Kinnear “was known as Charl, as Coach, as Mr Kinnear, as Daddy, as a brother, a husband and a neighbour”.
The barber who had given Kinnear his first hair cut, as well as his last, is in Bishop Lavis. So too his personal physician. Kinnear was involved with a local soccer team as well as a choral group. He attended church in Bishop Lavis.
Grant Kinnear said through his life and deeds, his uncle had hoped to provide a positive role model to the youth in an area where criminals and gangsters vie for violent dominance.
He asked for Charl to be remembered for the way he lived and not how he died.
“He lived with honour, with respect, he was a humble man. Charl was strong, passionate to serve and teach especially young people. He was disciplined. And most of all, Charl was loved.” DM168