Axing of elite police unit fuelled crime spike in KZN

Former commander highlights the devastating impact of the unit's closure on public safety

- THAMI MAGUBANE

THE former commander of the disbanded Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit has spoken out on its closure more than a decade ago, stating that the move was a "catastrophic mistake" for the province and has crippled the police's ability to fight and contain violent crimes.

Former Major General Johan Booysen, who has since retired, described the closure as a "disaster", adding that the police unit had been one of the best in the country.

Booysen spoke to The Mercury yesterday, days after former police minister and commissioner Bheki Cele told members of the Parliament Ad Hoc Committee that closing the unit had severely undermined the fight against crime.

The Ad Hoc Committee is investigating allegations of collusion between politicians, senior police officers, members of the judiciary and criminals to undermine the rule of law. The allegations were first raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.