Wainstein murder: Colonel questioned about granting Hawks permission to tap Booysen's phone

CAPE TOWN - A Crime Intelligence colonel testifying in the high-profile murder trial involving alleged underworld gang boss Jerome "Donkie" Booysen was questioned on Tuesday about why he granted the Hawks permission to tap Booysen's phone.

Booysen and 11 others are on trial for the murder of steroid dealer Brian Wainstein, who was shot dead in his Constantia home in 2017.

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Legal teams are arguing for the court to decide whether cellphone recordings intercepted from Booysen's phone can be used as evidence in the trial.

Booysen's lawyer, Advocate Amanda Nel, questioned the authority of the Crime Intelligence colonel after he granted the Hawks permission to tap Booysen's phone.

The colonel, who is a commander at Crime Intelligence headquarters in Pretoria, is in chargeof authorising cellphone interceptions on behalf of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Nel questioned the colonel about who had access to the recordings intercepted from Booysen's phone.

"Did Captain Russouw give you any names of other officers that may or might have access?"

"Yes, as far as I recall, he just said DPCI [Hawks]," said the colonel.

Nel is set to continue her cross-examination when the trial resumes on Wednesday.