A R1 million reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of those behind the assassination of top cop Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear outside his Bishop Lavis home on Friday.
The murder of the seasoned detective, who worked for the Anti-Gang Unit, has sparked an outcry from family and colleagues who questioned why police protection was removed from his home despite threats.
A large contingent of cops descended on Kinnear’s home in Gearing Road shortly after 3pm on Friday after he was found dead inside his white Toyota Corolla with three gunshots to the head.
It is believed that a lone gunman attacked him as he arrived at home and opened fire through the window on the driver’s side.
His son, Carlisle Kinnear, told the Weekend Argus: “My last conversation with him was 30 seconds before he was shot. He phoned me to pull my car out of the driveway, he was standing there waiting for me.
“It is heartbreaking. He didn’t deserve it. The ugly picture I have of him is gruesome.”
On Sunday, forensic investigator and founder of the NPO Forensics for Justice, Paul O’Sullivan, announced that they were offering a R1m reward for information about the murder, saying gangsters and mafia syndicates in the Western Cape will bring the country to its knees if no action is taken.
“We also recognise that Charl Kinnear was a hardworking, honest cop that was just doing his job,” said O’Sullivan.
“We therefore have taken a decision to issue a R1m in cash reward for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who arranged the murder.
“South Africa can quickly become a country like Mexico, but we don’t want to see that happen. We want all South Africans to stand with us to ensure that justice prevails.”
Kinnear, 52, last week secured a guilty conviction for two alleged members of The Firm gang who were accused of killing police reservist Gregory Carelse in 2018.
He was the lead investigator in several high-profile investigations including the extortion case involving nightclub security boss Nafiz Modack, the murder of top criminal lawyer Pete Mihalik and a firearm licensing fraud case which led to the arrest of cops in Gauteng.
On Saturday, Police Minister Bheki Cele visited his wife Nicolette Kinnear and their two children at their Bishop Lavis home to offer his condolences.
Cele admitted SAPS had failed the detective.
Nicollette previously raised concerns about her family’s safety in the media, saying she feared her husband’s enemies would use her or their children to get to him.
“I think that now that he is gone, the boys and I should be fine,” she said.
Asked why police protection had been withdrawn from Kinnear’s home, Cele said: “It does look like we have failed the Colonel as the police. We could have done things better.
“The man has been under threat all the time when people were moving around here with hand grenades.
“There was protection, the protection was withdrawn.
“We have spoken to the family who raised issues that we will work on and she (Nicolette) and the family don’t expect her husband to just be a statistic.
“They want to know what happened and that is what we are going to work on, both internally and out there.”
Meanwhile, a police source tells the Daily Voice that Kinnear was on a “gang hitlist” and many officers blamed SAPS management for his death as they were aware of the list.
“A few months ago, I was approached by an informer at court who told me I was on a hitlist by the 28s kamp,” says the source.
“The person told me that Kinnear was also mentioned and we registered a docket.
“I was merely told (by management) that I must wear a bulletproof vest 24/7 and given a hand radio and I hear that is the same thing Kinnear was told after they removed the protection.”
Another source says reveals three high-ranking members of AGU also received threats.
“The threats Kinnear received date back to 2016 when he started investigating the security rackets and the underworld in Cape Town,” says the source.
“There is lots of speculation about who is responsible (for his murder) but at this stage it is unclear.”
Cele has praised Kinnear’s reputation and stellar work as an officer who was ranked first in the Western Cape and third in the country.
Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase says no arrests have been made yet.
Nkwalase adds they cannot reveal any information regarding video footage of the incident as it is part of an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about Kinnear’s murder is asked to call Lieutenant-Colonel Clive Ontong on 082 460 1200.
To contact Forensics for Justice, call 0800 118 118.
Son Carlisle said the family were busy finalising funeral arrangements, but would have a memorial service for his father on Wednesday.