STATE MAKE KRAKE IN CASE

A TRAFFIC cop murder accused took to the stand to testify in his bid for bail, but stands on his case that he did not kill Walton van Rooyen five years ago.

Craig “Krake” De Lilly, 41, finally proceeded with his bail application after he was re-arrested in July 2025 facing charges of murder, the illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and 14 cartridges.

The accused had previously faced the same charges in March 2020 for the traffic cop’s murder, however the case was provisionally withdrawn a month after the incident.

He took to the box on Thursday at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court and told the court he is a taxi regulator, has three minor children that he sees to financially including his elderly mother.

He added that he is “not involved in any gangsterism” and that he assists with the youth soccer academy while looking out for the safety of the public and children to ensure that they travel safely.

Krake being seen in court with a 26s tjappie tattooed on the back of his head and pictured with tjappies on his chest.

However, the State punched holes in Krake’s bid for bail, questioning whether he ever had a run in with the law other than when he was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, robbery and kidnapping in 2001.

Krake said after he served his sentence and was released on parole, he never breached his parole conditions, however the state brought receipts stating that the accused received several verbal warnings from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

The State further referenced that in an incident in March 2018, another traffic officer found that the accused was the gaatjie on this day and failed to comply with instructions and allegedly intimidated the officer.

They added that due to his conviction, breaching his parole conditions, the 2018 incident and Van Rooyen’s murder where they claim that he had also had an altercation with the deceased that they are opposing his release on bail.

However, Krake stood by his word saying that he never intimated the officer in the 2018 matter, that he never killed van Rooyen and when he was convicted in 2001 he was accused with another co-accused who was convicted of rape, however Krake was convicted of attempted rape.

Krake said: “Ek kannie verstaan hoe kan ek vir 16 jaar sonder om niks te doen op die selfde aspek wat ek voor tronk toe gegaan in die eerste plek. Ek was in custody gewees vir rape, attempted rape en robbery soos die Staat sê dit staan op die docket.

“Ek was nog nooit weer in hegtenis geneem vir enige van daai dinge. Ek het nog nooit parole violations gebreek, want dis drie attempts. En as jy drie written warnings gekry dan kom haal hulle jou weer.”

The State argued during cross-examination that Krake’s version of events changed and therefore stated that he cannot be trusted.

The case was postponed to 15 October and the accused remains in custody.