By Simon Nare
The Nkabinde Inquiry is expected to hear further technical and forensic evidence related to the long-disbanded Cato Manor organised crime unit when it resumes on Tuesday.
The inquiry has heard allegations from witnesses that some of the scenes of cases linked to the controversial unit were staged and firearms planted to bolster claims of self-defence.
The inquiry — chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde — is investigating the fitness to hold office of Advocate Andrew Chauke, the South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions.
Chauke’s legal team is set to call ballistics expert Chris Mangena as a defence witness.
Inquiry spokesperson Tiyisela Mpuzana has said Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi SC is scheduled to lead Mangena’s evidence when the hearings resume.
Former KwaZulu-Natal DPP Moipone Noko previously testified that the Cato Manor case involved multiple dockets and murder charges, and that the prosecution case included allegations that unit members — allegedly working for taxi bosses in the province — would kill suspects and then place firearms next to bodies to create the impression the shootings were justified.
Noko told the inquiry that, on the version presented to her by the prosecution team at the time, there were indicators from the forensic investigations that undermined self-defence claims.
The inquiry has also heard evidence about the withdrawal of charges in the matter.
Former NDPP Shamila Batohi walked out of the inquiry in December citing a lack of legal representation, and has since appointed a legal team at state expense, but it remains unclear when she will return to finish her testimony.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deadline for completion of the inquiry to 30 June 2026.
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