The City of Cape Town has confirmed the arrest of a second suspect in connection with the 2020 murder of traffic officer, Walter Van Rooyen.

49-year-old Van Rooyen was gunned down in March that year, after arresting a taxi driver, Craig De Lilly, for a traffic violation.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said police have been pursuing a second suspect, and with the City’s help managed to track him down.

“Last month, the SAPS Provincial Organised Crime Unit requested the City’s help with tracing the remaining suspect who was believed to still work in the taxi industry. A team from the Safety and Security Information Management Service (SSIMS) conducted surveillance on various taxi routes and on Tuesday he was arrested,” confirmed the City’s statement.

The second suspect is Duwayne Smith. He made a court appearance in connection with this case a day after his arrest. The City noted that he opted not to apply for bail.

The first suspect, De Lilly, has been awaiting trial since his arrest years ago. The City said that in the time that has since passed, the charges against him had been provisionally withdrawn and then he was rearrested.

But now following Smith’s arrest, the City advised that the case will be transferred to the Cape Town Regional Court on Monday, and the two suspects are expected to appear in the same dock in that court, “as preparations for the murder trial get under way”.

“We welcome this second arrest and hope that the trial will proceed swiftly. Officer Van Rooyen’s family deserve justice and closure. They’ve already waited more than six years, with the trial still to come,” said JP Smith.

JP Smith also praised the SAPS and City teams involved in securing the latest arrest, noting that it is just another testament to the success that can come from collaboration.

“This is the third collaboration in just the past week where tracing operations, led in part by the City’s tech tools, have had results. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we leverage relationships, information and resources.”