As the investigation into the murder of City of Cape Town traffic cop, Walton van Rooyen, continues, the Daily Voice can reveal that the taxi driver accused of shooting him is a parolee who was released before completing his sentence.
The Daily Voice has reliably learnt that the main suspect in the murder of the 49-year-old officer, who was found dead in his patrol car on Tuesday morning, has a criminal
record dating back to 1999.
According to his criminal record, the alleged 26 gang member was first arrested in Kensington in 1999 where he was found guilty of rape, kidnapping and robbery and sentenced to 27 years in the mang, but only served 12 years before being released on parole.
After his release, his life of crime continued and he was arrested for hijacking in Philippi East, drug dealing in Woodstock, possession of suspected stolen property in Woodstock and intimidation in Bellville.
But these charges were later withdrawn.
SCENE: Van Rooyen was killed in Acre Road, Kensington
Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, got a skrik when Daily Voice showed him the suspect’s rap sheet on Wednesday and says the alleged killer should never have been on the streets.
“I don’t want to pre-judge as the criminal justice system must take its course, but this is shocking,” said Smith.
“This information shows that if he had served his full sentence, he would still be in custody now and would only be released in 2026.
“Had the sentence been appropriately applied, he would not have been free or able to commit this crime.”
On Wednesday angry taxi drivers gathered at Kensington Police Station demanding answers from the investigating officer and claiming the driver did not shoot the cop.
Van Rooyen was found with a gunshot wound to his torso in Acre Road shortly after 8am on Tuesday.
‘IT WASN’T HIM’: Angry taxi drivers gathering outside Kensington SAPS
Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the officer was shot by the taxi driver he had arrested on the corner of 5th Avenue and Voortrekker Road and was killed in his patrol car while the suspect to Kensington SAPS.
He confirmed that four suspects had been arrested by Metro Police and were taken in for questioning.
By late yesterday, police were unable to confirm whether any of the suspects had been charged.
Sources close to the investigation told Daily Voice that the cop was shot with his own service pistol, during a scuffle in his Traffic Services vehicle, and it was left behind at the scene.
