Latest news with #PublicProsecutions
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Batohi not worried about Omotoso's deportation as NPA plans to bring Gupta brothers back to SA
She expressed hope that the Nigerian pastor could be returned to South Africa if the NPA's appeal is successful. National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi says the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is committed to bringing back Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and the Gupta brothers to face justice. Batohi appeared before Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Wednesday, where she faced tough questions about the NPA's performance in handling high-profile corruption and criminal cases. ALSO READ: 'There is no state capture in NPA': Ramaphosa to meet Batohi after infiltration claims The failure of the South African government to secure the extradition of Atul and Rajesh Gupta from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to cast a shadow over the NPA's efforts to prosecute state capture cases. The NPA has also recently come under intense public scrutiny following the acquittal of Omotoso and his two co-accused in a rape trial that spanned eight years. Gupta brothers' extradition During the meeting, Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Andrea Johnson rejected any suggestion that the South African government had mishandled previous efforts to bring the Gupta brothers back to the country to face several charges. She explained that the government has yet to receive a response from the UAE clarifying the reasons for the extradition request being denied. 'When the UAE decided not to extradite the Guptas, we wrote to them; 12 note verbales later, we still don't have any response from the UAE about why the extradition failed. Safe to say that they have asked us to resubmit,' Johnson said. READ MORE: A national embarrassment? 'Scorpions 2.0' bill pitched to save failing NPA 'How do you resubmit when you've submitted a full set of papers that have been properly checked, even by themselves?' 'It does put you in somewhat of a predicament – do you send these papers so that they are a so-called 'failed attempt' again?' Johnson confirmed that a new extradition request would be submitted for the Gupta brothers to the UAE. 'We've taken a decision to submit new applications with additional matters. The country also can't wait while the NPA has to follow legal processes.' 'So, having taken that into account, the public interest, and the interest of justice, we'll submit new applications not just on the Estina and Nulane matters. We're going to apply for extraditions in relation to other state capture matters.' Watch the meeting below: The Gupta brothers, who were arrested in Dubai in 2022, stand accused of playing a central role in state capture during former president Jacob Zuma's tenure. One of the key cases in which they are implicated is the Nulane Investment fraud case and Vrede Dairy Farm matter. Batohi explains NPA's appeal on Omotoso Later in the meeting, Batohi told the committee that while the NPA is appealing Omotoso's acquittal, the process could take years. She also downplayed public concern following Omotoso's deportation last month. The NDPP explained that if the televangelist had remained in South Africa as a free man, it could have further distressed his victims, who have already expressed their disappointment with the outcome of the trial. 'The fact that he has had to flee from South Africa means he has not been able to live his life the way that he would like to.' READ MORE: Batohi explains why NPA did not investigate prosecutors in 2021 Omotoso trial Batohi expressed hope that Omotoso could be returned to face justice if the appeal is successful. 'Nigeria is a country that we do have an extradition treaty with, and they are also multi-lateral treaties that we can draw on to hopefully bring him back when we do.' 'We have been successful with many extradition applications across the world. The UAE is the one that sticks out, and we have had challenges with that.' She added that the NPA would await the outcome of the appeal process. Batohi defended the institution, urging the public 'not to lose faith' in the country's prosecutorial system amid growing criticism of the NPA's handling of high-profile cases – the corruption case involving former Cabinet minister Zizi Kodwa.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Shamila Batohi's track record as NPA boss
Manyane Manyane | Published 6 days ago Shamila Batohi's appointment as the National Director of Public Prosecutions raised hopes for a turnaround at the NPA. Despite disappointing results in prosecuting state capture cases, the NPA boasts a remarkable 90% conviction rate in complex commercial crimes in 2024. This achievement, which also included 333 convictions in complex tax case matters, highlights the NPA's strides in prosecuting financial crimes. The NPA's Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, in collaboration with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, achieved these convictions. The prosecuting body's annual report for 2023/24, also showed that over 900,000 criminal matters were finalised across the country. The report also stated that the NPA achieved a remarkable 93.4% conviction rate in prosecuting organised crime cases, although a lot needs to be done to ensure that kingpins are also held accountable. These cases include the arrest and sentencing of six people who were involved in the murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran. This was after Deokaran reported irregularities in the spending of the Gauteng Department of Health. Two accused were sentenced to 22 years and three were imprisoned for 15 years. Vincent Mkhefa, the chief financial officer and acting municipal manager at Nketoana Municipality in the Free State, was sentenced to eight years after he appointed service providers to supply 4,000 single-phase pre-payment electrical meters and 1,000 ready boards for R2,124 million. At the time he supposedly took the delivery, the items had not even been manufactured and he created the false impression that they were delivered and received. The unit also had a freezing order of R1.4 billion against Eskom senior executive France Hlakudi who was facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering against him and 10 others. The NPA also celebrated the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss the deportation appeal of Dr Nandipha Magudumana from Tanzania on May 16. This decision ended a long legal battle over the lawfulness of her return to South Africa in April 2023 and clears the way for her trial, set for 21 July 2025, alongside her alleged partner, Thabo Bester. The NPA also made significant progress in recovering money in economic crime cases, with nearly R2 billion recovered in 129 cases. Of this, R750m has been paid into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA). [email protected]
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Netflix star hit with more charges
Celebrity croc wrangler Matt Wright has reportedly been hit with two more criminal charges following the helicopter crash that killed his friend and co-star Chris Wilson. The Outback Wrangler host was set to face trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court next month charged with one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice. However, the charges are now set to be split into three components, a Director of Public Prosecutions spokesperson confirmed to NewsWire. The Crown filed an amended indictment and Crown case outline that contained three counts of perverting the course of justice, rather than just the one, the DPP said. Celebrity croc wrangler Matt Wright has been hit with two more criminal charges. NCA NewsWire/ Pema Tamang Pakhrin Credit: News Corp Australia The trial is set to start on July 28. Mr Wright's co-star Mr Wilson was killed in a helicopter crash while on a crocodile egg collecting expedition in the Northern Territory in February 2022. Pilot Sebastian Robinson was left a paraplegic. At the time of the crash, Mr Wilson was being hung from the helicopter by a sling. He left behind his wife Danielle and their two young sons. His criminal charges relate to his alleged actions after the fatal crash. More to come
ABC News
3 days ago
- ABC News
Dangerous driving charges dropped against Carwarp minibus driver Fua Moananu
A man who was driving a minibus carrying seasonal farm workers it crashed in north-west Victoria and killed two people has walked free from court. Fua Moananu, 26, was charged with two counts of dangerous driving causing death and five counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury following the June 2025, 2024 incident. The Office of Public Prosecutions told Mildura Magistrates' Court on Wednesday that after lengthy discussions the decision had been made to withdraw the charges. "During the last few weeks there has been a number of meetings and negotiations and as a result of those I am instructed to withdraw the charges against the defendant," prosecutor Andrew Moore told the court. If the case proceeded the prosecution would have had to convince a jury or judge beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Moananu knowingly drove dangerously and that doing so would have caused serious injury and death. Mr Moananu sat motionless with his head down as the decision to drop the charges was announced. "This case was tragic and it is important to record that Mr Moore – he is one of the most senior, extremely experienced prosecutors in the state – has given much thought to this and it's gone all the way to the top, to the Director of Public Prosecutions," Magistrate Patrick Southey told the court. The prosecution previously alleged Mr Moananu had been at the wheel of the 12-seater Toyota HiAce and lost control while overtaking another vehicle on the Calder Highway. All of the bus passengers were Samoan nationals on their way to work at a farm in the area. Mr Moananu had arrived in Australia three months before the crash and held a Samoan driver's licence. His lawyer, Astrid Haban-Beer, is seeking $1,799 in costs to be paid by the Victoria Police chief commissioner on behalf of Mr Moananu.
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Sunday World
Two businessmen charged with false imprisonment of three teenage boys
Judge Connellan remanded both on bail to the district court on July 10 for service of the Book of Evidence. Two businessmen have appeared before Judge Michael Connellan at Sligo District Court charged with the false imprisonment of three teenage boys. One of the accused faces ten charges, including assault causing harm to all three boys, and making threats to kill. All of the charges relate to an incident on March 18 2024 at the Northwest Business Park, Collooney, County Sligo. Cathal O'Connor (39), Farmhil Manor, Sligo is charged with assaulting each of the teenagers, causing them harm and with the false imprisonment of all three. He also faces three charges that he did, without lawful excuse, made a threat to each of the three, intending them to believe it would be carried out, to kill or cause them serious harm. He is also charged with stealing property, to wit, an iPhone, to the value of €500, the property of one of the alleged injured parties. Simon Cavanagh (38), Bru na Habhainn, Collooney, Co Sligo is charged with three offences, on the same date and at the same location, all relating to the false imprisonment of the three alleged injured parties. At the district court on Thursday, Sgt Derek Malone of Sligo Garda Station told the court that he met Simon Cavanagh at 7:05am at his home in Bru na Habhainn, Collooney where he was arrested for the purpose of charge. Simon Cavanagh. He was conveyed to Sligo Garda Station where he was later charged. He made no reply to each charge, Sgt Malone outlined. He was handed a true copy of each charge. The sergeant said there was no objection to bail with certain conditions, including he sign on once a week at Sligo Garda Station and be contactable to gardaí on his mobile phone at all times. He was also told not to have any contact with the injured parties or any persons associated with the injured parties, directly or indirectly. Bail of €1,000 cash lodgement was handed into court. Gda Aisling Burke of Sligo Garda Station told the court she arrested Cathal O'Connor at 6:24am at his address at Farmhill Manor for the purpose of charge. He was conveyed to Sligo Garda Station where he was later charged. He was cautioned and made no reply. Cathal O'Connor Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 14 2025 Gda Burke said there was no objection to bail, with conditions to sign on once a week, be contactable at all times to gardaí on his mobile phone and to have no contact with the injured parties or any persons associated with the injured parties, directly or indirectly. Bail of €5,000 cash lodgement was handed into court. Sgt Keith Marron said the Director of Public Prosecutions was consenting for both accused to be returned for trial and also consented to both being sent forward on a signed plea, should this arise. Judge Connellan remanded both on bail to the district court on July 10 for service of the Book of Evidence. Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor, as agent for KOD Lyons Solicitors, represented both Mr O'Connor and Mr Cavanagh.
