Political parties demand Batohi's accountability amid NPA sabotage allegations
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 NPA.
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.
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
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.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
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.
This comes 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 on Monday.
Batohi had said that if she felt she was underperforming, then she would step down immediately.
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.
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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Zondo calls for criminal investigation into Mantashe as he disputes State Capture Report
Gwede Mantashe has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he did not solicit or accept bribes. Tensions have escalated between Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and ANC heavyweight Gwede Mantashe over the findings of the State Capture Inquiry, with Zondo defending his call for a criminal investigation into Mantashe, while the minister disputes the report's conclusions. In March 2022, the Zondo Commission released its third report, which implicated Mantashe in alleged corrupt dealings with the controversial state contractor Bosasa. The report stated that Bosasa installed security upgrades at Mantashe's properties while he served as ANC secretary-general. Zondo concluded that there was a "reasonable prospect" of uncovering a prima facie case against Mantashe for corruption and referred the matter for further investigation. Mantashe has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he did not solicit or accept bribes. He has also indicated his intention to challenge the findings through a judicial review. In response to Zondo's referral, Mantashe criticised the Chief Justice, stating that Zondo "thinks he owns and manages the state capture report." He further remarked that Zondo should allow the relevant authorities to handle the matter instead of making it about himself. Chief Justice Zondo has defended his actions, emphasising that the referral was based on the evidence presented during the commission's proceedings. He maintains that the referral was made under the commission's mandate to investigate and report on instances of state capture. Zondo has reiterated that the findings were not personal but were grounded in the commission's objective analysis. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has stated that it will review the findings of the State Capture Inquiry and determine whether criminal investigations are warranted. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhanga noted that the commission did not conduct criminal investigations and that the NPA would assess the information provided to decide on the appropriate course of action.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Zondo calls for criminal investigation into Mantashe as he disputes State Capture Report
Gwede Mantashe has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he did not solicit or accept bribes. Tensions have escalated between Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo and ANC heavyweight Gwede Mantashe over the findings of the State Capture Inquiry, with Zondo defending his call for a criminal investigation into Mantashe, while the minister disputes the report's conclusions. In March 2022, the Zondo Commission released its third report, which implicated Mantashe in alleged corrupt dealings with the controversial state contractor Bosasa. The report stated that Bosasa installed security upgrades at Mantashe's properties while he served as ANC secretary-general. Zondo concluded that there was a "reasonable prospect" of uncovering a prima facie case against Mantashe for corruption and referred the matter for further investigation. Mantashe has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he did not solicit or accept bribes. He has also indicated his intention to challenge the findings through a judicial review. In response to Zondo's referral, Mantashe criticised the Chief Justice, stating that Zondo "thinks he owns and manages the state capture report." He further remarked that Zondo should allow the relevant authorities to handle the matter instead of making it about himself. Chief Justice Zondo has defended his actions, emphasising that the referral was based on the evidence presented during the commission's proceedings. He maintains that the referral was made under the commission's mandate to investigate and report on instances of state capture. Zondo has reiterated that the findings were not personal but were grounded in the commission's objective analysis. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has stated that it will review the findings of the State Capture Inquiry and determine whether criminal investigations are warranted. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhanga noted that the commission did not conduct criminal investigations and that the NPA would assess the information provided to decide on the appropriate course of action.
TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
School transport driver sentenced to life for raping a 16-year-old pupil
Almost five years after raping a 16-year old pupil, the Protea magistrate's court on Tuesday sentenced Retshidisitsoe Moletsane, 39, a scholar transport driver, to life imprisonment. The court further ordered that the accused be registered in the National Register for Sexual Offences and declared unsuitable to work with children. According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the incident occurred in November 2020. 'On the day of the incident, the victim finished writing her exam and went to wait for the other children in the taxi. The driver then followed her and undressed her, undressed himself and forcefully had sexual intercourse with the victim. He threatened that if she didn't cooperate, he would call other drivers to also rape her,' Mjonondwane said. She said on another occasion during the same month, Moletsane took the victim from school and instead of dropping her off at home, he raped her again. 'The victim thereafter requested to use the bathroom, the accused then followed her and raped her again. After a few months, the mother of the victim noticed some changes in the child's behaviour, and the victim also attempted suicide several collapsed at school, and eventually related the incident to her mother,' said Mjonondwane. Regional court prosecutor Mmakgadi Mangena said the accused demonstrated no remorse for his actions. The prosecutor highlighted a grave betrayal of trust, especially considering that the victim's mother trusted the accused to transport her to and from school, but he took advantage of her. She further argued that the only appropriate sentence for someone who abused his position is life imprisonment. 'We hope that this sentence brings a measure of justice and will be a step towards healing. We applaud Ms Mangena and investigating officer Sgt Kunene for playing a crucial role in upholding the rights and safety of the most vulnerable,' Mjonondwane said.
