Jerome “Donkie” Booysen’s drug trafficking trial postponed to 2025

Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, a prominent leader of the Sexy Boys gang, appeared frustrated as his drug trial faced further delays in the Western Cape High Court.

Booysen, along with five co-accused, including Kenneth Hansen, Kristo Marlens, Clinton Langeveld, Jennen Jansen, and Herbert Zoutman, were informed that their next court date is not until 2025, prompting visible expressions of discontent in the dock.

The trial, initially scheduled to commence in October 2023, has been beset by delays, much to the chagrin of Booysen and his legal team. His lawyer, Nthabiseng Mokoena, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the situation, indicating an intention to apply for an inquiry into the prolonged delays.

The case revolves around allegations of dealing in mandrax, with Booysen and his co-accused facing charges related to managing an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.

Despite the legal challenges, Booysen remains an active figure, recently celebrating his 60th birthday in an event where friends were seen showering him with cash on the dance floor, as captured in a TikTok clip.

Presenting a fit appearance in court, Booysen, a former rugby player, has survived several attempts on his life, prompting friends and family to maintain a vigilant presence outside the court premises.

Booysen’s assets, which include 18 properties, are currently subject to a restraint order pending the conclusion of the trials. This includes an unsuccessful attempt by a business partner to reclaim R13.5 million in bridging finance, a deal that went awry during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The case is expected to rely heavily on a surveillance operation involving the interception of approximately 400 phone conversations between September 2015 and November 2017.

The trial has faced setbacks, with the last scheduled start date delayed after Judge Robert Henney advised the State to consider withdrawing the drug case temporarily.

However, the National Director of Public Prosecutions declined this option, leading to continued delays. Despite these challenges, Booysen’s legal team remains committed to pursuing justice and resolving the case expeditiously.

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