The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has declassified its investigation report into the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Charl Kinnear, a high-ranking member of South Africa’s anti-gang unit.
Story Summary:
- The IPID has declassified its report, revealing the involvement of nine high-ranking police officers in the Charl Kinnear murder case.
- The report outlines misconduct by officers whose alleged negligence or actions may have facilitated the murder.
- SAPS is now considering disciplinary action, while IPID continues to seek criminal charges through the National Prosecuting Authority.
IPID report into Charl Kinnear murder declassified: Here’s what we know
In a landmark disclosure, the IPID report confirmed that at least nine police officers, including members of SAPS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), may have played a role in Kinnear’s assassination due to alleged misconduct or direct involvement.
IPID Executive Director Dikeledi Ntlatseng announced the decision at a press briefing in Cape Town, on Wednesday, citing the need for transparency now that key witness information is already in the public domain.
This move follows the initial classification of the report in 2022 to protect sensitive witness details and the integrity of the ongoing investigations.
“Currently, the information of witnesses is now in the public domain. Therefore, such information is no longer compromised,” Ntlatseng clarified.
The declassified report sheds light on the actions of seven SAPS officers and two DPCI members, whose alleged negligence or active involvement is believed to have facilitated Kinnear’s murder on 18 September 2020.
Kinnear was ambushed and killed in front of his home in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, while investigating high-profile organised crime networks involving gang leaders and corrupt law enforcement officials.
In a chilling revelation, IPID stated that the implicated officers’ actions—or failure to act—constitute serious misconduct under SAPS regulations.
To date, IPID has referred the cases of the nine implicated officers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal charges, along with disciplinary recommendations to SAPS and the DPCI.
SAPS has confirmed it is now initiating disciplinary proceedings against the officers, in line with IPID’s recommendations.
IPID, meanwhile, continues to work closely with the NPA to push for criminal charges, revisiting the NPA’s 2022 decision not to pursue prosecution.
