By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Alastair Russell.
The former Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks head Johan Booysen has accused the Nkabinde Commission of inquiry of trying to revive the Cato Manor Unit case through the back door.
The Cato Manor Unit refers to a controversial South African Police Service (SAPS) Organised Crime Unit (OCU) in Durban, KZN, known for its involvement in “death squad” activities, including murder and planting evidence, leading to its disbandment in 2012.
The unit, known colloquially as the “Cato Manor Unit”, was headed by Booysen, and members found themselves arrested and in the dock several times over the years, facing serious charges including racketeering.
In 2019, Shamila Batohi, the current head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), tasked prosecutor, advocate Rodney de Kock, with exploring the validity and appropriateness of decisions to sign off on the racketeering charges against the unit. The decisions had been taken by then acting National Director of Public Prosecutions head, advocate Nomgcobo Jiba and her successor, Shaun Abrahams.
The allegations were contained in 23 dockets alleging officers “unlawfully” murdered 28 individuals and were also involved in a “criminal enterprise that killed for reward and financial gain”.
After being arrested twice, Booysen in 2014 challenged the relentless attack, with Durban high court judge Trevor Gorven later setting aside the charges, ruling they were indeed unconstitutional and unlawful.
Gorven ruled that there had been no evidence to justify Jiba’s decision to prosecute Booysen under racketeering laws. Booysen was then re-arrested in 2016 by Jiba’s successor, Shaun Abrahams, based on the same “evidence”. This was a decision Booysen and the other officers took on review.
Jiba paid dearly for her fealty to Jacob Zuma and was dismissed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 after recommendations by the Mokgoro Commission into her and prosecutor, advocate Lawrence Mrwebi’s, fitness to hold office.
In September 2025, Ramaphosa announced the Nkabinde Commission of Inquiry into the fitness of one of the lead prosecutors in the matter, advocate Andrew Chauke.
City Press reports that Booysen is now accusing the Nkabinde inquiry of trying to revive the case “through the back door”.
“Any attempt to revive the Cato Manor case through the back door is self-serving and an abuse of process,” Booysen said.
“The taxpayer has already been burdened with an investigation spanning seven years, costing millions of rand. The high court in Durban has already dismissed the evidence of businessman Aris Danikas, linked to the Cato Manor case, and so did the late Advocate Rodney de Kock’s investigation panel when he served as deputy national director of public prosecutions.”
“It is an attempt to deflect from the issue under scrutiny — which is Chauke’s conduct.”
“The inquiry remains focused on its primary task, namely to establish all relevant facts relating to the allegations contained in the terms of reference in order to assess the fitness of Advocate Chauke to hold office as DPP, “said Nkabinde inquiry spokesperson Tiyisela Mpuzana.
“Any evidence led before the inquiry is considered only insofar as it is relevant and necessary to the proper execution of that mandate.”
In 2019, Booysen filed a damages suit for wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution against the state after being charged with racketeering.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has reportedly reached an out-of-court settlement with him, thought to be in the millions.
In 2021, four years after he exited the SAPS, Booysen was awarded the Stella Officii Egregii Gold Medal by then Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, for “outstanding work of meritorious nature.”