New evidence emerges in Kinnear murder trial, implicating gang connections
Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear, a decorated Anti-Gang Unit detective, was tragically assassinated in September 2020, sparking a high-profile murder trial.
Image: File
The murder trial of Charl Kinnear heard explosive testimony on Tuesday, alleging that the slain top cop detective was assassinated by a hitman linked to the Firm gang, who was later killed himself.
Kinnear, a decorated Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) detective, was shot outside his Bishop Lavis home in September 2020 in a targeted attack that shocked the country and raised questions about links between organised crime and possible failures within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The high-profile trial, focusing on alleged underworld figure Nafiz Modack and his co-accused, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Kinnear’s death, including claims of police negligence and internal lapses.
Deputy Provincial Head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Mario September, testified in the Western Cape High Court that Ipid investigated why Kinnear’s security detail was removed despite authorities being aware that he was under threat.
He said the investigation into Kinnear’s murder remains ongoing, with certain senior police officials identified for further scrutiny.
September also revealed that he received a tip-off from a source within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) that approximately 23 bandiete had information about the murder.
The court heard that he interviewed two inmates at Goodwood Correctional Centre on June 3, 2025 and September 11, 2025.
September explained that during these interviews, he first established who they were, what information they had, and which gang they were affiliated with before questioning them about the murder.
Mario September, Deputy Provincial Head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), testifies in the Cape High Court about the ongoing investigation into Kinnear's murder.
Image: Kim Swartz
Judge Robert Henney questioned why this information only surfaced five years after the murder, to which September replied that no one had previously come forward with evidence.
According to September, the two inmates claimed they knew who the shooter was and were able to identify him after being shown CCTV footage of the incident.
However, State prosecutor Gregory Wolmarans challenged this version, arguing that the identification appeared convenient and questioning whether the inmates had prior knowledge or were possibly present at the scene.
Despite this, September stood by his evidence, saying he took statements and that one inmate claimed to have seen the shooter on the morning of the murder.
He said: “He said he saw the shooter in a particular vehicle, and then I showed him the video, and then he also recognised the particular vehicle. He also indicated the day that he saw them driving this particular vehicle.
“And then the shooter who was walking was also identified; that particular shooter was in the vehicle. The witnesses indicated that the shooter is of African origin, he is a black African male, but he lived in Valhalla Park, so he understood Afrikaans very well.
“This particular hitman has a particular sporting gear, and he was known for this sort of attire. When they gave me the description and explained how this person is built, I said I got the CCTV footage, and then they identified him.
“But the shooter was killed months after Kinnear’s murder. He was a known hitman for the 28s/The Firm Gang, and the [alleged] leader is Ralph Stanfield. This information I also verified after consulting with the investigating officers in the Ralph Stanfield matter.”
The trial continues.