Parliament has expressed “grave concern” over the slow progress in the implementation of recommendations by the independent police investigative directorate (IPID) regarding the investigation into the killing of anti-gang unit Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear.
Kinnear was shot and killed outside his Bishop Lavis home in the Western Cape in September 2020. At the time, he was investigating a gun-racketeering case involving alleged organised crime boss Nafiz Modack and eight senior cops.
IPID has since authored a report that implicates high-ranking police officials in the killing of Kinnear.
On Tuesday, the Bishop Lavis community policing forum, religious leaders and residents gathered outside Kinnear’s house to demand the declassification of the IPID’s report.
On Wednesday, the parliament’s portfolio committee on police was informed of the slow progress in implementing the recommendations of the IPID report.
“The portfolio committee on police has criticised the slow progress in implementing the recommendations made by the independent police investigative directorate following an investigation into the murder of Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear,” the committee said in a statement.
“The committee considers the tardiness in implementing both the recommendations and instituting further internal SAPS investigations as undermining the assurance given to the Kinnear family that justice will be done.
“It is also worrying that despite clear recommendations from IPID, SAPS decided to appoint a member to investigate allegations of misconduct, which subsequently absolved SAPS members of any wrongdoing.”
The committee further stated that there has been little or no action following the Western Cape High Court ruling, which highlighted that rogue elements are operating within the anti-gang unit in the province.
While the high court ruling concerns corrupt SAPS officials, a large contingent of committed, loyal and incorruptible officers remain within the police service, it said.
“Senior management must, therefore, urgently devise and implement plans to remove rotten elements within the service. The committee welcomed IPID’s comprehensive report, but highlighted that gaps remain that need attention.”
The committee also noted that one critical question which still has not been answered is who within the SAPS authorised the removal of protection around Kinnear, and the reasons why this was done.
“The committee welcomed the assurance from IPID that it has instituted a process to review the National Prosecuting Authority’s [NPA] decision not to prosecute those implicated in the report. Collaboration between the NPA and IPID will ensure that IPID fills in [the] gaps identified by the NPA in order to ensure prosecution.”
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