Jerome ‘Donkie’ Booysen, alleged leader of the notorious Sexy Boys gang, and his five co-accused are scheduled to stand trial in May for their involvement in a large-scale mandrax trafficking operation.
News24 has reported that the group faces a range of serious charges, including drug trafficking, as pre-trial proceedings continue.
Booysen, along with Kenneth Hansen, Kristo Mariens, Clinton Langeveld, Jennen Jansen, and Herbert Zoutman, appeared in the Western Cape High Court on Friday. They were arrested in 2021 by the Hawks following intercepted calls related to alleged drug drops.
The accused face over 90 charges, with Booysen specifically charged with managing a criminal enterprise that allegedly engaged in racketeering activities involving mandrax. The police claim to have discovered significant quantities of drug-manufacturing materials at properties associated with Booysen, although he denied the allegations, stating the properties were rented out.
The syndicate is accused of smuggling mandrax from properties in Durbanville and Bellville to numerous locations in Kasselsvlei, Bellville, and Glenhaven. During the pre-trial hearings, Booysen appeared in court dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, and his attorney, Nthabiseng Mokoena, informed the court that Booysen was also facing other charges, which may delay the completion of those cases. Mokoena is considering filing an application to have the current case dismissed.
The state noted that the Asset Forfeiture Unit is involved in the case, and as a result, Booysen’s assets, including 18 properties, are currently subject to a restraint order while the trial proceeds.
The drug operation reportedly unravelled after one of the accused was arrested near the Zewenwacht Mall in Kuils River during an alleged drug deal.
Judge Gayaat da Silva-Salie postponed the case until 30 May for further proceedings.
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Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo Images
