EXCLUSIVE | WATCH | Former Hawks head talks policing, crime, corruption

DURBAN - In the past few weeks, almost 50 suspected criminals have come out second best in gun battles with the SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal. 

The "fight-fire-with-fire" strategy has drawn many praises from those sick of the high crime rate - but it has also elicited an outcry from activists. 

More than a decade ago, the Cato Manor Organised Crime Unit also took a hard stance on crime. 

READ: EXCLUSIVE | Crime Intelligence must improve to stop hits - former Hawks head

But it led to a target on the back of former KZN Hawks head, Johan Booysen, and his members, who were accused of running a "death squad." 

Those charges were eventually dropped, and Booysen maintains it was a well-orchestrated campaign to make him pay for investigating politically connected individuals. 

eNCA senior reporter Dasen Thathiah sat down with him for a frank conversation on the current state of crime and policing in the country.