Riley confirms role in withdrawing charges against Cator Manor Unit

Western Cape Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shireen Riley says she was part of the expert panel that guided former National Prosecuting Authority head Advocate Shamila Batohi in her decision to withdraw racketeering charges against members of the Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit.

Riley was testifying at the Nkabinde Enquiry in Pretoria.

The Enquiry is investigating South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office.

Riley assisted in putting together a report that was presented to Batohi based on the contents of the 23 racketeering murder dockets involving members of the Cato Manor Unit and thier commander, Johan Booysen which were later withdrawn.

“If I may proceed to clarify why I say that, there was an in-person meeting with the NDPP, which consisted of itself as well as the panel members, where for a whole day, we actually sat down, went through the report, discussed with the various cases, the evidence. We basically did a presentation to the NDPP. she had an opportunity to interrogate the report, but I also think subsequently she has further analyzed the report on her own.”