Head of Hawks, Johan Booysen is one of the 30 police officers accused of operating as a dead sqaud (SABC)
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The head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal Major-General Johan Booysen and eleven other police officers were released on R5 000 bail each in the Durban Magistrate's Court today.
The eleven accused were released with strict bail conditions. Booysen was made to hand over his cellphone and passport. The other officers were warned not to leave the country without permission.
Booysen and nine officers from the Durban Organised Crime Unit handed themselves over to police yesterday. The two others are members of the National Intervention Unit.
The arrest of the dozen police officers brings the total number charged to 30. They are accused of operating as a death squad from the Cato Manor police station. The unit was disbanded in February this year when alleged crimes surfaced.
The charges include murder, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.
The National Prosecuting Authority says one of the main charges is racketeering but they did not clarify. NPA spokesperson for KZN, Natasha Ramkisson says at this stage there is a lot of evidence that needs to be gathered for this case.
All 30 suspects will appear at the Durban Magistrate's court again tomorrow.
