A petition has been launched by the family of a City Traffic Officer who was killed in 2020, to oppose the bail of his alleged killer.
Officer Walton Van Rooyen was reportedly gunned down in his patrol vehicle on 17 March 2020 after he arrested a taxi driver for a traffic violation in Kensington.
The City’s Safety and Security Investigations Unit (SSIU) investigated the case alongside SAPS’ detectives, and the suspect was arrested. However, a month later, the case was provisionally withdrawn.
According to the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, the taxi driver and accused in the matter, Craig De Lilly, was rearrested in July, almost 5 years after the murder.
Smith says new information led to his re-arrest. Craig De Lilly made appearances in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court last month on charges of murder and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The case was postponed to Thursday for a bail application. During his last court appearance, the State indicated that it would not oppose bail.
READ MORE: City urges State to oppose bail for accused killer of traffic officer
Both the City and the family of Van Rooyen have, however, called for bail to be denied for De Lilly.
In an earlier statement, Smith pleaded with the State to reconsider their stance, adding that the death of Van Rooyen left his family, colleagues and friends devastated.
“We believe that individuals accused of murdering officers in the line of duty should not be allowed to roam our streets while on trial. If we cannot protect our officers, we cannot protect the public,” said Smith
Van Rooyen’s family added that granting bail would not only trivialise the gravity of De Lilly’s alleged crime but also pose a risk to public safety.
“We call upon our fellow Capetonians to stand in solidarity with us. Our father’s memory deserves justice, and together, we must ensure that violent crimes against those upholding the law are met with due seriousness.”
The petition launched by Van Rooyen’s family already has over 1000 signatures.
