Latest news with #DeLilly
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Emotional court hearing as State opposes bail for alleged cop killer
Family members of slain officer 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. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers There was drama at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday as traffic officers and family members packed the court to witness the bail hearing of alleged cop killer Craig 'Krake' de Lilly. The 41-year-old taxi driver 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 taxi assistant and two other men were arrested shortly after the shooting in Acre Road, Kensington, but the case was provisionally withdrawn just a month later. On Monday, 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. 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 August 11. 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Craig 'Krake' De Lilly, 36, appeared in Cape Town Magistrates Court. Image: Supplied His aunt told the Cape Argus sister publication, the Daily Voice that when De Lilly was convicted of rape and robbery, he was a minor, and while he got gang tattoos in prison, 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.' Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said 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." Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
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
IOL News
22-07-2025
- IOL News
City security chief calls for 'cop killer' to stay behind bars
BUSTED: Craig 'Krake' De Lilly, 36, appeared in Cape Town Magistrates Court Image: Supplied Safety and security mayco member JP Smith has called on the State to reconsider it's stance in deciding not to oppose bail for an accused cop killer. Craig "Krake" De Lilly appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Monday after his arrest on Friday after new information emerged in the murder case of traffic cop Walton van Rooyen on March 17, 2020. De Lilly, a taxi driver, is alleged to have shot and killed traffic cop Van Rooyen in his patrol car. KILLED Slain traffic cop Walton van Rooyen, 49. Image: Supplied De Lilly was arrested along with his taxi guard and two other men shortly after the shooting in Acre Road, however a month later the case was provisionally withdrawn. The accused returned to the dock making a brief court appearance on Monday facing Schedule 6 charges of murder, the unlawful possession of a 9mm pistol and the unlawful possession of 14 cartridges. The court heard that the warrant for his arrest was issued back in March 2025. The State said that the investigation is complete and that it will not oppose bail. In a statement, Smith called for the State to reconsider their decision on his bail. Smith said: "While the reasons for the unopposed bail application are unclear at the stage, we call on the courts to use their discretion when the matter returns to court next week. "We believe that individuals accused of murdering officers in the line of duty should not be allowed to roam our streets while on trial. If we cannot protect our officers, we cannot protect the public." Smith added: 'We hope this arrest brings the family some comfort and we call on the courts to act diligently. 'We hope this serves as a lesson to those who callously kill officers executing their duties. If we cannot protect our officers, we cannot protect the public.' 'The case was postponed to July 28 for bail information and for a lawyer to represent the accused." De Lilly is alleged to be a member of the 26 gang, has a criminal record dating back to 1999 and had been convicted of robbery, kidnapping and rape. Cape Times
