KRAKE TOEGEPLAK

THERE was high drama at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning as traffic officers and family members packed the court to witness the bail battle of alleged cop killer Craig “Krake” de Lilly.

The 41-year-old stands 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.

De Lilly, his gaatjie and two other men were arrested shortly after the shooting in Acre Road, Kensington, but the case was provisionally withdrawn just a month later.

Family members of Van Rooyen and a group of traffic cops gathered outside before court proceedings to oppose bail after the court previously heard that the State wasn’t planning to oppose De Lilly’s release, despite him facing a Schedule 6 charge.

Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith says justice has been a long time coming.

“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,” said Smith.

“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.

“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.

“At the time of his death Walton was a father for two sons and the sole breadwinner for his elderly mother.

“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.”

De Lilly’s lawyer told the court that they only found out about the State’s decision after hearing JP Smith on the radio last week calling for the state to oppose bail.

However, things took a turn when the court heard that the State has now changed its tune and 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 11 August.

De Lilly’s family said they were sad and disappointed by the State’s sudden shift, but still had empathy for Van Rooyen’s loved ones, however said De Lilly is innocent.

His aunt told the Daily Voice that when Craig was convicted of rape and robbery, he was a minor, and while he got gang tjappies innie mang, he was never actually part of a gang.

“He never wanted that life, but he didn’t have a choice,” she said. “If justice is fair we just hope they give him a fair chance to get bail. We feel for [Van Rooyen’s] family, but Craig also has a family and he is a different person.”