Nkabinde Inquiry to hear more ballistics evidence in Cato Manor unit cases

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