Ongoing case · 2020
Ongoing case: this file carries charge-sheet facts only. Anyone charged is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The short answer
Charl Kinnear, a South African Police Service lieutenant colonel investigating organised crime, was shot dead outside his Cape Town home on 18 September 2020; several people have since been charged, including alleged crime boss Nafiz Modack.
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Suggest coverage for Killing of Charl KinnearCharl Kinnear was shot and killed at around 15:03 SAST on 18 September 2020 as he arrived at his home in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, South Africa. He was struck multiple times in the upper body while seated in the driver's seat of his white Toyota Corolla, and died from his injuries. Kinnear was a lieutenant colonel in the South African Police Service (SAPS), working as a detective and section commander for the Western Cape anti-gang unit known as Team C.
At the time of his death, Kinnear was investigating a gun racketeering case that allegedly involved organised crime figure Nafiz Modack and eight high-ranking police officers. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) reported that Kinnear's death could jeopardise a number of high-profile organised crime investigations he had been conducting. The same IPID report referenced the existence of a "rogue unit" within the Western Cape Crime Intelligence Division of SAPS and praised Kinnear's work investigating corruption within the organisation.
Former semi-professional rugby player Zane Killian was arrested shortly after the shooting and charged with Kinnear's murder. Investigators found that Kinnear's mobile phone had been illegally tracked 2,116 times prior to his murder using specialised tracking software accessible via a web browser on a phone or computer, allegedly by Killian.
In 2021, Modack and two additional suspects, Amaal Jantjies and Janick Adonis, were arrested and charged in connection with Kinnear's murder. Recordings made by Jantjies indicated that an earlier, unsuccessful attempt on Kinnear's life had occurred on 23 November 2019, when a hand grenade failed to detonate outside his home. Following that failed attempt, a police protective detail was assigned to guard Kinnear's home, but this detail was withdrawn on 19 December 2019.
By January 2022, IPID had lodged two criminal charges against National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole for allegedly refusing to cooperate with the directorate's investigation into Kinnear's murder.
In April 2022, one suspect, Fareez Smith, a self-described member of the Junky Funky Kids street gang, pleaded guilty to attempting to assassinate Kinnear at his home in November 2019. According to the account, Smith's attempt failed when the grenade he had been given fell out of his pocket in view of police officers stationed outside Kinnear's residence. Smith was convicted of attempted murder, illegal possession of explosives, and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
The broader murder case, including the charges against Killian, Modack, Jantjies, and Adonis, remained before the courts as of the available reporting.
A hand grenade intended to kill Kinnear failed to detonate outside his home; Fareez Smith later pleaded guilty to this attempted assassination.
Police protective detail guarding Kinnear's home, assigned after the failed November attempt, was withdrawn.
Charl Kinnear was shot multiple times and killed while arriving at his home in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town.
Zane Killian was arrested shortly after the murder and charged with Kinnear's killing.
Nafiz Modack, Amaal Jantjies, and Janick Adonis were arrested and charged in connection with Kinnear's murder.
IPID lodged two criminal charges against National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole for refusing to cooperate with the murder investigation.
Fareez Smith pleaded guilty to attempted murder, illegal possession of explosives, and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for the November 2019 grenade attack on Kinnear.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
SAPS lieutenant colonel and section commander for the Western Cape anti-gang unit Team C, shot and killed outside his home on 18 September 2020.[3]
Self-described member of the Junky Funky Kids street gang; pleaded guilty in April 2022 to attempted murder, illegal possession of explosives, and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act for a failed November 2019 grenade attack on Kinnear.[3]
Charged in 2021 in connection with Kinnear's murder; recordings made by Jantjies indicated a prior failed assassination attempt on Kinnear.[3]
Charged in 2021 in connection with Kinnear's murder.[3]
Charged by IPID under section 33 of the IPID Act for failing to cooperate with the investigation into Charl Kinnear's murder, in a criminal case docket lodged in December 2021; not charged over the murder itself.[3]
Alleged organised crime boss charged in 2021 in connection with Kinnear's murder; Kinnear had been investigating a gun racketeering case allegedly involving Modack.[3]
Former semi-professional rugby player charged with Kinnear's murder; alleged to have illegally tracked Kinnear's mobile phone 2,116 times before the killing.[3]
From the record
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