State to oppose bail for alleged cop killer
The family of slain traffic officer Walton van Rooyen has pleaded with the court not to grant his alleged killer bail. Van Rooyen was shot and killed inside his patrol vehicle on 17 March 2020.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
THE State has changed its tune and indicated it will now oppose bail for alleged traffic cop killer Craig “Krake” de Lilly.
Traffic officers and family members packed the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court to witness the bail proceedings of De Lilly.
The 41-year-old is accused of murdering traffic officer Walton van Rooyen in March 2020, and also faces charges of illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and 14 cartridges. Van Rooyen was shot and killed inside his patrol vehicle.
Craig ‘Krake’ De Lilly, 36, appeared in Cape Town Magistrates Court
Image: Supplied
De Lilly, his taxi guard and two other men were arrested shortly after the shooting in Acre Road, Kensington, but the case was provisionally withdrawn just a month later.
De Lilly’s recent re-arrest follows the emergence of new information in the case.
The court previously heard that the State wasn’t planning to oppose De Lilly’s release, despite him facing a Schedule 6 charge, drawing criticism from mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith.
Walton van Rooyen's mother, Johana Van Rooyen, cries outside of court as the slain officer's son, Conrad Van Rooyen, embraces her.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
De Lilly’s lawyer told the court that they only found out about the State’s decision after hearing Smith on the radio last week calling for the state to oppose bail.
However, things took a turn on Monday when the court heard that the State will in fact oppose bail, a move that shocked De Lilly’s family.
His lawyer told the court he has witnesses lined up to testify at the next appearance, and the matter was postponed to August 11.
Smith said the City welcomed the decision by the State to oppose bail.
“Just over a week ago we were informed that the suspect was re-arrested and many of us felt relieved. It has been a five-year wait for justice.
“We believe that the state would not have recharged the suspect haphazardly and we have faith that they have applied their minds when assessing the docket.”
Smith said over the weekend the directorate held the annual Remembrance Day event where they honour the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for their families and the residents of Cape Town.
“At the time of his death Walton was a father for two sons and the sole breadwinner for his elderly mother. Today we are here to not only show our support for the family but to show the courts that as a society we cannot just sit and watch as murder cases fall through the cracks. An attack on any officer tasked with upholding the law, should be regarded as an attack on the state.”
“I visited Walton’s family at the time of his death and I can recall the heartache in the eyes of his relatives and friends. His death had a profound impact on the entire directorate.”
Cape Times