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IOL News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Crisis at NPA: Ramaphosa to meet Batohi for clarity
The National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Shamila Batohi. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / African News AGency (ANA) IOL and Staff Reporter President Cyril Ramaphosa has called National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi to a high-level meeting following her recent remarks accusing prosecutors within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of grave violations. Last week Batohi, responding to criticism over several embarrassing defeats in high-profile cases, said there had been "infiltration" of the prosecution service, but later backtracked, saying she had used the wrong term and instead that certain cases were being deliberately sabotaged. Her remarks have raised serious doubts regarding the independence and integrity of South Africa's legal system. Ramaphosa sees the meeting as an important chance for Batohi to clarify the scope of the purported infiltration and to thoroughly express her concerns. 'The NDPP did make that statement and she later said she used the wrong word about the infiltration. I'm going to have a meeting with her so that she can really download and take off the chest some of the challenges,' Ramaphosa told journalists at the Sefako Makgatho Primary School on Tuesday. He, however, expressed satisfaction with the NPA's work despite the criticism facing the prosecuting authority. 'The NPA has really done considerable work to stabilise itself as well as go on with various prosecutions. Quite often, we look at where there is failure or where there are mistakes, and we think the whole system is not working,' said Ramaphosa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The NPA was dealt a major blow in the case against former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule when the court ruled that the extradition from the US of his former PA, Moroadi Colota, was invalid. The NPA has also been slammed for bungling the case against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who was acquitted on more than 30 charges of sexual assault, while the failure to secure the extradition of the Gupta brothers, nearly a decade after the Gupta Leaks scandal, has raised questions about the authority's effectiveness. Several parties, including the EFF, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and ActionSA, are demanding accountability, saying if there is sabotage then this happened under Batohi's watch and she should take responsibility by stepping down. Last week the EFF wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza requesting an urgent debate on what it believes is an institutional crisis at the NPA. The EFF said Batohi's remarks suggest undue influence is being exerted on the NPA, compromising its ability to secure justice and accountability. "This is not a casual institutional complaint. It is a constitutional red flag of the highest order," the EFF said. "An assertion from the NDPP herself that the NPA has been infiltrated should send shockwaves throughout every organ of state." ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip called for Batohi's immediate removal, citing the NPA's repeated failures in high-profile cases. "The NPA has become a refuge for politically connected individuals, a place where accountability is avoided, justice is delayed, and prosecutions collapse with shocking regularity. "Under Batohi's leadership, the NPA reels from one scandal to the next. South Africans are left wondering if these failures are merely a result of incompetence, or is there a deliberate agenda to protect the corrupt,' Trollip said. The DA has also expressed concerns about the NPA's failures but has stopped short of calling for Batohi's removal. Instead, the party wants Batohi to explain the failures. Batohi has said that if she felt she was underperforming, then she would step down immediately. When approached for comment on Tuesday, Batohi's office referred questions to the presidency. Batohi's term ends in January 2026. Cape Times
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
EFF, MKP demand accountability from Shamila Batohi over NPA sabotage claims
The National Prosecuting Authority under Advocate Shamila Batohi is facing significant challenges. Image: Henk Kruger National prosecutions boss Shamila Batohi is facing renewed criticism from several parties, including the EFF, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party and ActionSA, over her recent statements about sabotage within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Last week Batohi, responding to intense criticism over several embarrassing defeats in high-profile cases said there had been "infiltration" of the prosecution service but later backtracked, saying she had use the wrong term and instead that certain cases were being deliberately sabotaged. Despite the backtracking by Batohi, the parties remain unconvinced and are demanding accountability, saying if there is sabotage then this happened under her watch and she should take responsibility by stepping down. The MK Party, on Monday, expressed concern over Batohi's statements, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability within the NPA. 'We are the first ones to call for her (Batohi) head. It's been three weeks since we made that call. She has shown that she is incompetent and therefore must go,' MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Last week the EFF wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, requesting an urgent debate on what it believes is an institutional crisis at the NPA. There is concern after the NPA was dealt a major blow in the case against former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule when the court ruled that the extradition from the US of his former PA, Moroadi Colota, was invalid. The NPA has also been slammed for bungling the case against Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso, who was acquitted on more than 30 charges of sexual assault. The NPA's failure to secure the extradition of the Gupta brothers, nearly a decade after the Gupta Leaks scandal, has also raised questions about the authority's effectiveness. The EFF said Batohi's remarks suggest undue influence is being exerted on the NPA, compromising its ability to secure justice and accountability. "This is not a casual institutional complaint. It is a constitutional red flag of the highest order," the EFF said. "An assertion from the NDPP herself that the NPA has been infiltrated should send shockwaves throughout every organ of state," the letter read. ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip called for Batohi's immediate removal, citing the NPA's repeated failures in high-profile cases. "The NPA has become a refuge for politically connected individuals, a place where accountability is avoided, justice is delayed, and prosecutions collapse with shocking regularity. "Under Batohi's leadership, the NPA reels from one scandal to the next. South Africans are left wondering if these failures are merely a result of incompetence, or is there a deliberate agenda to protect the corrupt,' Trollip said. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga did not answer questions sent Monday. Batohi had said that if she felt she was underperforming, then she would step down immediately. However, the parties are not satisfied with her explanation and are demanding that she take responsibility. The DA has expressed concerns about the NPA's failures but has stopped short of calling for Batohi's removal. Instead, the party wants Batohi to explain the failures. The DA last week announced a reform package aimed at rescuing the NPA and restoring justice for victims of corruption. According to the DA, the NPA is currently "broken" and has failed to secure successful prosecutions in high-profile corruption cases. To address these issues, the DA's Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, Glynnis Breytenbach, proposes a series of reforms.
The South African
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Shamila Batohi 'in hot water' over infiltration claims at NPA
ActionSA has called for the immediate removal of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Shamila Batohi over 'prosecutorial failures'. The call comes as Batohi, the outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), admitted this week that there is political interference in the work of the NPA and that it has been infiltrated. Apart from that, the NPA has been in the spotlight for prosecutorial failures in major cases, especially the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso and the extradition of former Free State Premier Ace Magashule's assistant Moroadi Cholota. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika , Batohi said the NPA has been infiltrated and captured by people who do not have the rule of law at heart. Batohi said they are having internal challenges; some prosecutors may not be aligned with the vision of really fighting for the rule of law in this country. However, she refused to divulge who had captured the institution, how it was captured, and the extent of the interference. Regarding failure to extradite the Gupta brothers, fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri, and possibly Timothy Omotoso, Shamila Batohi said none of the extradition challenges in these cases are because of the NPA. ActionSA has since demanded a full parliamentary inquiry into the NPA's ongoing prosecutorial failures and the extent to which political interference has affected its operations. The party said the NPA has once again exposed its deep dysfunction, either through incompetence or wilful neglect, with the latest disgrace being the collapse of the asbestos corruption case involving former Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, due to the unlawful and irregular handling of the extradition of his former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota. 'This is not an isolated blunder, but part of a disturbing and entrenched pattern. The NPA has become a refuge for the politically connected, a place where accountability is avoided, justice is delayed, and prosecutions collapse with shocking regularity,' ActionSA leader in Parliament, Atholl Trollip, said. 'Under Shamila Batohi's leadership, the NPA reels from one scandal to the next. South Africans are left wondering if these failures are merely a result of incompetence or if there is a deliberate agenda to protect the corrupt. Let us be clear that this is not just about one failed case. 'The pattern is undeniable. From the Phala Phala saga to the collapse of high-profile cases like Timothy Omotoso, Shepherd Bushiri, and the Estina Dairy Project, the list of prosecutorial disasters grows longer by the day. Most damning is the NPA's failure to secure the extradition of the Gupta brothers, nearly a decade after the Gupta Leaks shook the nation,' Trollip added. Following Batohi's interviews, the EFF said it has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, demanding a debate on Batohi's claims. The party said the crisis at the NPA is not only one of infiltration, it is one of denial, incompetence and weak leadership. 'No transformation of the criminal justice system will be possible if its leadership refuses to acknowledge its own failures while hiding behind platitudes of institutional rebuilding. 'It is clear that Batohi has never had a coherent plan, no control over her institution, and no political will to confront the forces undermining the rule of law in South Africa. Her tenure has been marked by delays, deflections, deterioration, and disappointment,' the EFF said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
