Cape Forum demands reinstatement of Kinnear widow’s security detail
The civil rights organisation Cape Forum has today sent an urgent letter to the Western Cape District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vincent Beaton, and called for the reinstatement of the widow of the murdered Lt Col Charl Kinnear, Nicolette Kinnear’s, security detail. Cape Forum argues that the reinstatement of her and her family’s security detail, at least until the court cases regarding his murder have been concluded, is of extreme importance.
The decision for withdrawal was made based on factually incorrect information as contained in a confidential intelligence report. The content of the report is an example of misleading and false intelligence. The report argues, among other things, that Lt Col Kinnear attended a meeting in 2021, even though Kinnear had already passed away in September 2020.
“We would like to draw your attention to the fact that Lt Col Kinnear lost his life in the year 2020 (18 September). Yet your report would suggest that Charl Kinnear sent Facebook photos and attended a meeting in 2021 (16 September). How is this possible? If your report can make such a simple error, how can you ensure, without resealable doubt, that the Kinnear family is indeed safe and does not require protection?” reads a part of Cape Forum’s letter to Maj Gen Beaton.
Cape Forum is in possession of the confidential document detailing this glaringly erroneous intelligence.
The organisation maintains that the Kinnear family’s protection detail must be prioritised so that Nicolette Kinnear can testify in court without fear for her or her family’s safety.
“The nature of Lt Col Kinnear’s murder is such that his family’s protection is critical. It is the responsibility of the SAPS to uphold the family’s human rights in this respect. They must simply provide the assurance that the safety of individuals involved in legal action can be ensured and ensure that justice will be done without any intimidation,” emphasises Bernard Pieters, Manager of Community Activation at Cape Forum.
