The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to urgently reinstate criminal charges against former senior police officer Johan Booysen and members of the controversial Cato Manor unit, warning of legal and political consequences should the authority fail to act.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Rodney “Andy” Mothibi, the party demanded a full re-evaluation of the decision to drop the charges in 2019. The MK Party argues that the original case, which centred on allegations of extrajudicial killings in KwaZulu-Natal, was supported by substantial evidence and should never have been withdrawn.

The Cato Manor unit, once hailed for its role in combating violent crime, became the subject of intense scrutiny following allegations that its members were involved in a pattern of unlawful killings. These claims led to charges being brought against Booysen and several officers, before the NPA controversially withdrew the case.

The MK Party now contends that the withdrawal was deeply flawed and has pointed to testimony emerging from the ongoing Nkabinde Inquiry as justification for revisiting the matter. According to the party, evidence presented at the inquiry suggests that key documents — including dockets, indictments and expert reports — were not fully considered at the time the decision was made.

The party further alleges that former National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, did not adequately familiarise herself with the evidence before deciding to halt the prosecution. It claims this amounted to a serious failure of prosecutorial duty and denied victims’ families an opportunity for justice.

“This was not a professional decision; it was a travesty of justice,” the MK Party said in its statement, adding that the NPA has a constitutional obligation to act independently and in the public interest when faced with credible allegations of wrongdoing by state officials.

The party has framed its demand within the context of constitutional rights, arguing that the failure to prosecute undermines the principles of equality before the law, the right to dignity, and the right to life. It also warned that inaction risks creating the perception that certain members of law enforcement are above accountability.

The MK Party has given Mothibi seven days to respond, calling on him to review the full body of evidence and confirm, in writing, that any decision taken is based solely on the merits of the case and free from political interference.

In addition to its public call, the party confirmed that it has already initiated review proceedings in the High Court in an effort to challenge the earlier decision to withdraw the charges.

Should the NPA fail to act, the MK Party has threatened to escalate the matter through parliamentary processes and further legal action. It says it will pursue accountability “through every available avenue” until justice is achieved for the victims and their families.

At the time of publication, the NPA had not responded to the MK Party’s demands or provided a comment on whether it would reconsider the case.