Which way for the NPA?
The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Shamila Batohi, faced an expectedly challenging appearance before the justice portfolio committee this week.
While the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) could draw some solace from last week's Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling in its favour in the Nulane case, significant concerns remain.
Key issues include the NPA's mishandling of the rape case involving pastor Timothy Omotoso, as well as the Free State High Court's decision that the extradition of Moroadi Cholota - accused alongside former Free State Premier Ace Magashule in the asbestos corruption case - was unlawful.
Adding to these concerns is the slow progress in prosecuting state capture cases, a point of criticism that continues to linger.
With just six months remaining in Batohi's term before her expected retirement next year, questions are being raised about what lies ahead for the NPA. Notably, there has been little clarity or action from the Presidency on when the process to appoint her successor will begin.
In this week's Friday Briefing, we examine the state of the NPA under Batohi's leadership. Has she delivered on her promises for reform since stepping into the role?
News24's legal journalist, Karyn Maughan reflects on two cases where she argues the failure of NPA leadership to put out legal fires before they imploded fundamentally compromised the administration of justice.
Casac's Lawson Naidoo explains why he believes the NPA has made some headway under Batohi's tenure.
Additionally, News24's parliamentary reporter, Jan Gerber, evaluates Parliament's role in the NPA's challenges, including the impact of funding shortages on the institution.
We also feature a Q&A with DA MP and former advocate Glynnis Breytenbach on what must be done to reshape the institution and restore its credibility.
Lastly, advocate Lauren Kohn from the Law and Governance Academy of Southern Africa delves into the recent SCA Nulane judgment, shedding light on what it reveals about the current state of our judiciary.
You can explore these perspectives and contributions in full below.
Set up to fail or maliciously incompetent? What NPA losses tell us
Despite high-profile court losses, prosecutions boss Shamila Batohi insists the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is doing a 'fantastic job'. But, Karyn Maughan writes that stance does not recognise how NPA leadership failures have jeopardised criminal accountability.
here.
Rebuilding justice: Nulane judgment offers redemption for the NPA
While the NPA has issues that need addressing, it is difficult to agree with those who wish to portray the NPA as an institution in crisis, in need of a root and branch overhaul, argues Lawson Naidoo.
Read the full contribution here.
NPA crisis: A chronicle of a snafu foretold
If you have been paying close attention to the National Prosecuting Authority's appearances before Parliament, as Jan Gerber has done, you wouldn't be surprised that the pawpaw has hit the fan at the prosecuting body.
Read the full contribution here.
Q&A with Glynnis Breytenbach | Saying NPA is 'doing a fantastic job' is 'bullsh*t'
As scrutiny on the NPA intensifies after it bungled a number of high-profile cases, in-depth writer Muhammad Hussain speaks to DA MP and former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach on what it will take to turn the leaky ship around.
Read the full contribution here.
SCA Nulane judgment vindicates the rule of law and NPA's important work
The real impediment to justice and equity was an affront to the rule of law perpetrated not by the National Prosecuting Authority in the Thabete case, but rather by the guardian of the rule of law itself, the judiciary – an affront that is now embodied for posterity in the Free State High Court's shockingly incorrect legal findings as set out in its judgment, writes Lauren Kohn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Leading conservationist in South Africa denies smuggling rhino horns worth $14m
A leading conservationist in South Africa, charged with smuggling rhino horns worth $14m (£10m), has insisted he has "nothing to hide". In a statement, John Hume, the former owner of what is thought to be the world's largest rhino farm, denied allegations that he trafficked the horns from South Africa to South East Asia. The 83-year-old Mr Hume and five others, including a lawyer and a game reserve manager, have appeared in court on 55 charges, including theft, money laundering and fraud. The group was allegedly part of an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate between 2017 and 2024, prosecutors said. Mr Hume and his co-defendants are accused of smuggling more than 960 horns, obtaining permits to sell them locally, when the true intention was to export the horns to South East Asia, where they are used in traditional medicine. The sale of rhino horns is legal between citizens in South Africa, but exporting them is not allowed. The accused appeared in a magistrate's court in the capital city Pretoria on Tuesday and were granted bail. They did not enter a plea - this is not required in South Africa during an initial court appearance. Mr Hume, however, proclaimed his innocence in a statement. "I have nothing to hide and have fully cooperated with investigators for years," he said. "I categorically reject the allegations against me and maintain that I have never acted unlawfully. I am confident that, once the facts are tested in court, I will be vindicated and my innocence confirmed." Mr Hume's former farm, Platinum Rhino, was home to approximately 2,000 southern white rhinos. He sold the farm in 2023, saying he could no longer continue to support the rhinos, which he had been breeding for over two decades. Mr Hume was born in Zimbabwe and raised on a sheep farm. He made a living developing holiday resorts, before turning his hand to conservation in the 1990s. You may also be interested in: Rhino horns turned radioactive to fight poachers in South Africa Illegal trade booms in South Africa's 'super-strange looking' plants PODCAST: Women in South Africa and Zambia protect wildlife from poachers Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
South African breeder is accused of $14 million rhino horn smuggling ring
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African prosecutors have accused a well-known rhino breeder of operating a global rhino horn smuggling network alongside five other people. John Hume, 83, owns one of the world's largest rhino herds at his Johannesburg ranch. He and the others are accused of a scheme involving 964 rhino horns valued at $14.1 million. Hume has not publicly commented. Hume was granted $5,000 bond by the Pretoria magistrates court, according to the National Prosecuting Authority, after he and the others handed themselves over to police on Tuesday. Bail conditions included turning over their passports. Prosecutors said they next appear in court on Dec. 9. A seven-year investigation by South African authorities found the suspects allegedly secured permits under false pretenses to buy and sell rhino horns domestically while funneling the horns into illegal markets in Southeast Asia. Under South African law, domestic trade is permitted with valid permits. However, international commercial trade in rhino horn is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. According to a blog promoting the private reserve that he opened in 2009, Hume and his staff at Rhinos of Buffalo Dream Ranch care for over 1,600 rhinos, including over 1,000 that have been bred there. The six suspects, including a lawyer, insurance broker and game reserve manager, are charged with 55 counts including racketeering, fraud, theft and money laundering. The country's environment minister, Dion George, called the investigation 'a powerful demonstration of South Africa's resolve to protect its natural heritage.' South Africa fights an ongoing battle to protect endangered rhinos, with a reported 103 killed between Jan. 1 and March 31, according to the government. Authorities have focused in recent years on criminal syndicates they believe are behind much of the poaching. The country has the world's largest rhino population with an estimated 16,000 to 18,000, according to conservation groups. That includes white rhinos and the critically endangered black ones.
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
South African breeder is accused of $14 million rhino horn smuggling ring
JOHANNESBURG — South African prosecutors have accused a well-known rhino breeder of operating a global rhino horn smuggling network alongside five other people. John Hume, 83, owns one of the world's largest rhino herds at his Johannesburg ranch. He and the others are accused of a scheme involving 964 rhino horns valued at $14.1 million. Hume has not publicly commented.
