By Akani Nkuna
Former police reservist Aris Danikas told the Nkabinde Commission of Inquiry on Monday that former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Johan Booysen was revered within the Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit, describing him as a “godfather” who allegedly oversaw illegal activities carried out by members of the unit.
During his testimony, Danikas claimed Booysen was the central figure in the unit and sanctioned many of its alleged unlawful actions, including the planting of firearms at crime scenes.
“[Booysen] was the godfather of the unit, if I may use that word. Nothing happened without him,” Danikas told the commissioners.
“He even told us many times: ‘Guys, if you do something wrong, let me know in advance. It is okay, just tell me beforehand so I can fix the problem. Do not get caught. I need to know so I can make the problem go away.’”
Danikas said a turning point for him came when he allegedly witnessed the manipulation of a crime scene at Booysen’s instruction. According to him, a suspect who had been injured during a confrontation with police was treated inhumanely and left to suffer without medical assistance.
He told the inquiry that in the year and several months following the incident he faced repeated intimidation, including death threats, a break-in at his home and the theft of his digital devices.
Danikas said he believed the threats came from fellow law enforcement officials because they knew he had gathered incriminating evidence against them.
In a video submitted to support his testimony, Danikas claimed Booysen was seen standing next to a dead body and saying: “Good, he met his maker.”
Danikas argued this demonstrated what he described as Booysen’s disregard for human life and alleged use of excessive force.
Danikas said he first met Booysen in the late 1990s while running a computer business. Booysen had been a customer and the two later developed a friendship.
In 2001, Danikas said he arranged Booysen’s first family trip to Greece, introducing him to his relatives in his native country.
Danikas further alleged that during his early years as a police reservist the unit displayed racist attitudes, with some members referring to Africans as “sub-human, apes and animals”.
He also claimed Booysen expressed views that Africans were “destroying South Africa” and that the country had been “better under apartheid”.
“As a white immigrant living in South Africa and owning a business, the impression was created that my life and my business were in danger from Africans,” Danikas testified.
“Booysen and his group presented themselves as the people who would protect me and others like me.”
Danikas said Booysen later recruited him to join the unit, which he said was portrayed as a small group of mainly white police officers.
According to Danikas, Booysen told him he would handle much of the paperwork because Danikas was unfamiliar with police procedures, provided he followed instructions and operated under his command.
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