Investigation reveals police officers 'pinged' Kinnear's cellphone
Andre Lincoln previously testified in the case before his passing in 2025.
Image: IAN LANDSBERG
Explosive testimony in the Western Cape High Court has revealed that top cops, including the former boss of slain Anti-Gang Unit detective Charl Kinnear, are being investigated in the ongoing probe into his murder.
Kinnear was gunned down outside his Bishop Lavis home in September 2020, sending shockwaves through the country and raising serious concerns about internal police failures - especially after it emerged that his protection had been withdrawn months before his killing.
The high-profile trial, focusing on alleged underworld figure Nafiz Modack and his co-accused, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Kinnear’s death.
Deputy Provincial Head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Mario September, told the court that his unit was brought in after concerns were raised about how the original investigation was handled.
He said both the then-National Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole and former Minister of Police Bheki Cele flagged serious shortcomings in the probes conducted by SAPS and the Hawks.
September revealed that Ipid is now investigating certain police officers for their alleged involvement in Kinnear’s murder, with some high-ranking names coming under the spotlight.
Among those identified in an internal SAPS report are Lieutenant-General Peter Jacobs, Major-General Mzwandile Tiyo, and Major-General Andre Lincoln, Kinnear’s former boss and head of the Anti-Gang Unit at the time.
The court heard that Lincoln was interviewed twice by Ipid about his role, particularly around requests for an investigation into threats against Kinnear and the provision of protection.
Lincoln himself also previously testified in the case before his passing in 2025.
According to September, Lincoln said he could not act because he was waiting for feedback from the provincial commissioner, and believed it was not his responsibility to drive the investigation as he had already reported the matter to crime intelligence.
Lincoln also said the investigation was “not so far” and confirmed that protection had been arranged, but it was later withdrawn months before Kinnear was murdered.
September said deeper concerns emerged when Ipid broadened its probe.
He said: “An internal investigation of SAPS found that it was not adequate, hence it was requested of Ipid to go into detail.
“Certain concerns that were raised included the narrow scope of SAPS, whereas there are deeper issues in the report relating to the death of Kinnear such as the role of the so-called rogue unit in the gang activities in the Western Cape and the allegations and suspicions that members of the rogue unit have been co-operating with gang leaders.
“[There is] also the suspicion of members from crime intelligence (CI) held about and against each other in so far as co-operation with gang leaders are concerned.
“Allegations were made against Kinnear that he had co-operated with gang leaders and received money from them to settle his bond on his house and [then there is also] the protection withdrawal of Lt-Col Kinnear.”
In another shocking twist, the court heard that police officers themselves may have tracked Kinnear before his death.
Ipid's Mario September
Image: Kim Swartz
Judge Robert Henney asked whether there was any evidence of police involvement in a conspiracy to murder Kinnear.
September said there was no concrete evidence of a conspiracy but confirmed that some officers had pinged Kinnear’s cellphone.
He added: “One of the task team members of this current team was responsible for evidence on everyone who pinged Kinnear, and he provided me with a statement to indicate that police members were also pinging him prior to his murder.
“These members would have then become suspects.”
September added that the investigation remains ongoing.
The trial continues on Monday.