Chesney Keppler’s family demands justice

Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile has strongly condemned the alleged murder of 22-year-old Crime Prevention Warden Chesney Keppler from Eldorado Park.

Keppler was allegedly shot and killed by her 42-year-old police officer boyfriend on December 26. The boyfriend fled the scene, attempted to commit suicide, and was later arrested.

Maile visited the Keppler family on December 28, accompanied by City of Johannesburg Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds, Ward 17 councilor Dwayne Ponsonby, and a representative of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

ALSO READ: Eldorado Park police officer to face murder charge

They met with the station commander of Eldorado Park SAPS Brigadier Mkhacani Maluleke and his team before heading to the victim’s home.

“We are extremely saddened and extremely angry,” Maile said. “What he has done is unforgivable, unexplainable, and unacceptable.”

In response to Popcru’s statement which attributed the severe mental health challenges faced by law enforces, Maile said they refuse to understand why the union is raising mental health issues now.

“Why didn’t they address these issues earlier, if indeed there are mental health issues, why are they being raised now?

If the union has always known that there are those issues, why have they not taken up those issues with police management to make sure that the issues are tended to?” he questioned.

Maile emphasized that the relationship between the community and the police is not good, and that this incident has further strained that relationship.

ALSO READ: Gruesome Murder: Body of elderly man in Emdeni found mutilated

He called on men to take a stand against gender-based violence (GBV) and to condemn the actions of the accused police officer.

“We must send a strong message that if people think they can abuse their authority and take lives, they are wrong,” he said.

“We will not tolerate such behavior, and we will ensure that justice is served.

“We want to assure the Keppler family that we will be with them throughout this process, and that we will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.”

The provincial government has committed to working with the police and the community to address the issues raised by this incident.

Maile also called for the accused to be denied bail and to face the full might of the law.

“We will make sure that we monitor the case closely and that we oppose bail. We want to make sure that the accused is treated like any other criminal and not given special treatment because he is a police officer,” he continued.

“We will also make sure that the family receives the necessary support and counseling during this difficult time.”
Maile also addressed the issue of GBV, saying that it is a pandemic that requires urgent attention.

ALSO READ: Hight Court sentences man to life for murder of his partner

He called on men to take responsibility for their actions and to work towards creating a society where women feel safe and protected.

“We need to find ways of reaching out to perpetrators and not just inviting people who are reasonable and who agree that GBV is wrong,” he said.

“We need to be firm and decisive in our actions, and we need to make sure that justice is served. We will not tolerate GBV in our society, and we will do everything in our power to prevent it.”

The accused police officer is expected to appear in court on December 30, and the provincial government has assured the Keppler family that they will be present throughout the trial to ensure that justice is served.

Arnolds said her office has showed the family support since the fatal day.

She noted that as a survivor of GBV and the chairperson of the ‘My Life Matters’ organization, she encourages all women and men who have been affected by violence to come forward and seek help.

“I urge everyone to join us at our monthly meetings, held every Thursday, and let us work together to create a society where everyone can live without fear of violence.”