Nkabinde Inquiry Hears Explosive Claims About Cato Manor Police Unit
Viable News Team 
The Nkabinde Inquiry in Pretoria has heard further testimony about alleged abuses linked to the controversial Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit, including claims of torture, racism and unlawful killings.
The inquiry is examining whether Andrew Chauke, who has been suspended from his position, is fit to hold office following decisions linked to the long-running Cato Manor police cases.
Witness Alleges Culture of Violence and Racism
On Monday, former police reservist and businessman Aris Danikas told the inquiry that the unit, under the leadership of Johan Booysen, allegedly became a racist and abusive policing group.
Danikas claimed members of the unit mocked black people and engaged in extreme violence during operations.
According to his testimony, Booysen allegedly observed while suspects were assaulted and tortured, sometimes resulting in death.
Claims of Suspect Being Left to Die
During questioning by evidence leader Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, Danikas described a disturbing incident involving an injured suspect.
Ngcukaitobi asked how Booysen reacted when an ambulance was requested.
Danikas told the inquiry Booysen allegedly refused medical assistance.
“My guys want to get sold, so they go to the government hospital. I have declared the scene unsafe, and I’ll wait for him to die,” Danikas told the inquiry when recounting the alleged response.
The claims form part of a broader examination into how investigations and prosecutions involving the Cato Manor unit were handled.
Background to the Cato Manor Controversy
The Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit was established to combat violent crime in the Cato Manor area in Durban.
However, the unit became one of the most controversial policing units in South Africa after allegations emerged that officers had carried out unlawful killings of suspected criminals.
Over the years, multiple members of the unit were arrested and charged with murder and other crimes. Some of those cases later collapsed, raising questions about the handling of the prosecutions and investigations.
Major-General Booysen himself previously faced charges linked to the alleged killings but was later cleared in court proceedings.
Inquiry Focuses on Prosecutorial Decisions
The Nkabinde Inquiry is not directly a criminal trial but rather a fact-finding process aimed at evaluating decisions made by senior prosecutors.
In particular, the inquiry is examining whether actions taken by Advocate Chauke during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions in South Gauteng were lawful and appropriate.
Testimony from witnesses such as Danikas is expected to help determine whether prosecutorial decisions in the Cato Manor cases were justified or whether there may have been misconduct.
More Testimony Expected
Proceedings at the inquiry are ongoing, and additional witnesses are expected to testify in the coming days.
The commission is expected to examine both police conduct and prosecutorial decision-making related to the controversial Cato Manor investigations before making recommendations.
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