‘High risk’ Kilian case moved
|Published
SUSPECT: Zane Kilian, 39. Picture: Facebook
A plan to move the murder case of slain top cop, Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear, from Bishop Lavis Magistrates’ Court has been welcomed by crime fighters who believe those behind the murder plot will try to “silence” Zane Kilian.
This was revealed on Monday as Kilian, 39, who is accused of tracking the seasoned detective’s phone as part of the plan to assassinate him, made his second appearance at court.
The debt collector has been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit to murder and the unlawful interception of communication.
He was transported to court in an armoured nyala truck while heavily armed cops in riot gear stood guard outside the court.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says before the formal proceedings started, a discussion was held in the magistrate’s chambers.
“An issue of security risk around the court precinct was raised. It was agreed by all the parties that the bail application must be transferred to another court.
“A new court will be sourced between today [Monday] and Friday. The accused will remain in custody.”
While Ntabazalila did not elaborate on what the security risk was, the Community Police Forum (CPF) says they believe the Kilian’s “handlers” want to silence him.
CPF chairperson Graham Lindhorst says the move to a different court is further proof that the investigators are on the right track.
“We don’t know the reasons they want to move it, but we believe this means SAPS has the right suspect. We think it is a good move to safeguard him as Kilian’s handlers [the murder masterminds] might come after him and try to silence him.”
Lindhorst says the community is still reeling after the murder of Kinnear who was gunned down outside his Bishop Lavis home on 18 September and will now petition the courts to deny the bail application.
“We are going to start a petition to oppose the bail. We must make sure that he is kept inside,” he says.
“Kinnear’s death caused a mass outcry not only in Bishop Lavis and in Cape Town, but in South Africa.”
The case has been postponed to Friday for a bail application.