Former reservist accuses Johan Booysen of racism and brutality at Nkabinde Inquiry

Former SAPS reservist and Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit member, Aris Danikas, has told the Nkabinde Inquiry that the former head of the unit, Major General Johan Booysen, harboured racist attitudes toward black people, often referring to them as subhuman.

Danikas is testifying before the inquiry established to test the fitness to hold office of suspended Gauteng NPA head, Advocate Andrew Chauke.

His testimony relates to racketeering charges involving the Cato Manor unit.

The Nkabinde Inquiry has been examining the withdrawal of 23 racketeering charges against members of the Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit.

This has morphed into a deeper probe into the unit’s activities following allegations of extra-judicial killings of about 28 suspects between 2008 and 2011.

Danikas, who is testifying via video link from the South African Embassy in Greece, told the inquiry that Booysen repeatedly expressed derogatory views about black Africans.

Danikas also claims that Booysen advocated for the use of torture and shooting suspects, saying it was the only way to deal with crime.

He alleged that Booysen bypassed normal recruitment processes by assigning him to detective services as a reservist without experience.

Furthermore, Danikas claims Booysen authorised the allocation of a firearm to him under the justification of "special duties," even though reservists are not normally issued with firearms.