Jerome 'Donkie' Booysen was named as the leader of the Sexy Boys gang in a court case four years ago. File picture: Leon M� Jerome 'Donkie' Booysen was named as the leader of the Sexy Boys gang in a court case four years ago. File picture: Leon M�
Cape Town - A suspected gang boss’s arrival at an Observatory tyre service centre shortly after an arson attack there this week has sparked further questions about the motive behind the incident.
Jerome “Donkie” Booysen, who four years ago was named as the head of the Sexy Boys gang in an unrelated court case, arrived at the business on Monday afternoon after three men set two cars alight.
“(Police officers) told me I’m on a crime scene and must go stand by a car so a picture can be taken of me. I said: ‘You go stand there and I take your picture’,” Booysen told Weekend Argus.
He said he was on the scene because the owner of the business was a friend from whom he often bought tyres.
Members of the so-called Moroccans gang, known for their involvement in the bouncer industry, also arrived at the scene in what sources say was a show of force to intimidate whoever was behind the attack.
The Observatory, Woodstock and Salt River areas are the stronghold of the Young Gifted Sexy Bastards gang.
A source suspects the incident was the result of tensions gripping the underworld because of, among other things, unhappiness among bouncers who work for an alleged underworld businessman.
This week the owner of the tyre service centre asked that he and his business not be identified.
A source told Weekend Argus the owner worked closely with Booysen and was involved in the tyre and steroid trade.
But the owner said he was just friends with Booysen, who he considered a close customer.
He confirmed Booysen and members of the Moroccans had been there after the arson attack, but said it was because they were friends checking on him.
The incident happened shortly before 3pm on Monday.
Police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said three suspects ran on to the business premises with a black bag.
When an employee asked if he could help them, they removed plastic containers containing petrol from the bag.
“They threw it over two parked vehicles and cars were set alight,” Rwexana said.
The car of the wife of a staffer was damaged, while a client’s car was slightly damaged.
Rwexana said the damages were estimated at R200 000.
A malicious damage to property case was being investigated. “The motive and circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” Rwexana said.
Weekend Argus understands Booysen went to the scene when he learnt of the incident after calling the business owner about a car.
This week Booysen said the business owner was a friend and he had planned to have a car seen to.
“He’s doing my tyres. I’ve got sports cars.”
Booysen said while he was on the scene after the incident, a police captain approached him asking him to stand aside to be photographed.
He refused. The captain had allegedly touched him at one point, which had angered him.
“I told her not to touch me. You don’t just do that,” Booysen said.
l Anyone with information about the arson incident should call investigating officer Warrant Officer Warren Smith at the Woodstock Police Station on 021 486 2863, or CrimeStop on 08600 10111.
caryn.dolley@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus