Latest news with #Scorpions2.0
The Citizen
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Batohi could appear in parliament to explain allegations of corruption inside the NPA
Batohi's statements have ignited some curiosity on the challenges of the NPA. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wants the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi to appear before parliament next week to give more details about allegations of rogue elements inside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). During an interview this week with a local broadcaster, Batohi said she was concerned that the NPA had been infiltrated by individuals who do not have the best interests of the rule of law at heart. She also said there were systematic challenges, but also internal and external agendas that affect the function of the NPA. The state lawyers have been under attack from both the public and political parties for mishandling major cases, especially those involving high-profile figures and politicians. In a letter to the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, the EFF stated that the NDPP must furnish Parliament with information on rogue activities at the NPA, if indeed they exist. 'We therefore respectfully request that the Portfolio Committee convene an urgent meeting on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, for the express purpose of engaging Advocate Shamila Batohi on her public statements and allowing Members of Parliament to exercise their oversight responsibilities. In the spirit of transparency and full accountability. 'Advocate Batohi must explain what she meant by infiltration, what forms of manipulation she is facing, what forces—internal or external—are hindering her work, and what corrective or protective steps have been taken,' the party said. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development should take responsibility for the NPA The party said it also wanted the Minister of Justice to be present at this meeting. 'The attendance of the Minister is essential, not only because section 179(6) of the Constitution requires that the Cabinet member responsible for the administration of justice exercise final responsibility over the NPA, but also because the potential political implications of the NDPP's statement need to be evaluated in the context of executive accountability. 'The Minister must brief the Committee on what measures are in place to safeguard the NPA from infiltration, how vetting is conducted for senior appointments, and whether any recent developments have prompted internal investigations or interdepartmental correspondence regarding institutional integrity.' The EFF said a weakened NPA isa poor reflection on the state. 'The NPA stands at the frontline of holding the corrupt accountable and ensuring justice for victims of serious crimes, including femicide, sexual violence, and complex financial crimes. 'If the prosecutorial arm is compromised, the entire justice system is compromised.' ALSO READ: A national embarrassment? 'Scorpions 2.0' bill pitched to save failing NPA Why is it so difficult to do this job? Meanwhile, Batohi had said she would meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa to express her concerns about the challenges the NPA faces. 'This is something that I am going to take up with the executive we need to understand exactly what is going on and why it is sometimes so difficult to do this job. 'Because you have all the challenges of the system, but you also have agendas externally and internally, this is a serious concern for me,' she said. NOW READ: NPA 'infiltrated by those against the rule of law' – Batohi says
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Political parties split over calls to fire NPA boss Batohi
CAPE TOWN - Political parties in Parliament are split on whether the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, should be fired. While ActionSA said Batohi should leave the position due to high-profile failures by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it doesn't support her removal. But the DA said the NPA is in desperate need of a massive overhaul and has introduced a 'reform package' for the NPA that includes passing the DA's 'Scorpions 2.0' bill to create an independent anti-corruption commission. ActionSA parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, called for the immediate removal of Batohi and demanded a full parliamentary inquiry into the NPA's ongoing prosecutorial failures. READ: NPA shouldn't be let off the hook for faltering on several cases: GL community safety committee In a statement, Trollip said the NPA had 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 and his former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota. But DA Justice spokesperson, Glynnis Breytenbach, said earlier that her party would not support a motion to remove Batohi because the problems go deeper than just leadership. 'We certainly wouldn't table such a motion, and we certainly wouldn't support it. The national director is not the problem at the NPA. It's not a one-man job or a one-woman job, and while I think she possibly could have things differently, she's not doing a bad job.' She said the failures of the NPA are not attributable to her alone, saying she has less than a year left in office, which is more of a concern for the DA. ALSO READ: NPA's hopes of trying rape-accused Omotoso suffer blow after his voluntary departure
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
A national embarrassment? ‘Scorpions 2.0' bill pitched to save failing NPA
The DA says the NPA should at least prosecute one major case successfully to regain public trust. National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi during a media briefing in Silverton where she introduced the new Investigating director at the NPA head office on Friday, 24 May 2019. Picture: Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe Lawyers for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are under scrutiny for their inability to secure convictions in high-profile cases. The NPA has failed to secure court victories and convictions in several major cases, including controversial Nigerian Pastor Timothy Omotoso's rape case, and other prominent cases linked to ANC politicians and State Capture. In 2024, former prosecutor and now DA parliamentarian Glynnis Breytenbach proposed a set of reforms aimed at bolstering successful prosecutions. This includes introducing a 'Scorpions 2.0' bill, which is expected to establish an independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). This commission will have the power to investigate and prosecute high-level corruption, free from political interference. The DA also wants to amend the constitution to ensure the head of the NPA is appointed by parliament and not the president. 'I did not expect that there would be a huge appetite for this bill, for obvious reasons. But I believe it is the only solution to the current problem. 'To rebuild, the NPA is going to take 20 years. We cannot wait 20 years for these prosecutions to take place; to fill up an anti-corruption commission with competent staff would be much easier,' said Breytenbach. Breytenbach believes that other problems that plague the NPA include budget cuts, which limit the organisation's ability to do its work. 'If you do not have a budget, it becomes difficult and then impossible to prosecute these cases in court, and that is why we see these debacles in court because there has not been sufficient consultation with subject-matter experts,' she said. Sabotage in the NPA? On Thursday, National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi expressed concern about the NPA's inability to deliver successful prosecutions. 'That actually makes me worry sometimes, that the NPA is actually being infiltrated by people who do not have the rule of law at heart. 'I do not sleep comfortably at night because of that, not because I think the NPA is a failing organisation,' she said. Breytenbach said she believes that Batohi has done her best and cannot be completely blamed for all the failures in prosecutions. She said some of the bad elements in the ranks of the NPA are known, but there seems to be no political will to root them out. 'We all know who they are. She (Batohi) has not managed to get rid of all of them either because she has not tried, but some of them we know that she has tried, and she has been hampered in the process,' she said. ALSO READ: NPA 'taken aback' over Moroadi Cholota extradition ruling, hints at appeal NPA a haven for politically connected? ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip stated that the NPA has become a haven for the politically connected. 'It has become a place where accountability is avoided, justice is delayed, and prosecutions collapse with shocking regularity. '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 is there a deliberate agenda to protect the corrupt?' he said. NOW READ: NPA 'infiltrated by those against the rule of law' – Batohi says
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
DA says NPA's failures make it necessary to introduce new anti-corruption unit
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the failures of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had made it necessary to introduce a new anti-corruption fighting unit. The party said it's pursuing what it calls "a bold reform package" for the NPA, which includes passing the DA's "Scorpions 2.0" bill to create an independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with the power to investigate and prosecute high-level corruption. ALSO READ: NPA shouldn't be let off hook for faltering on several cases: GL community safety committee The party said the commission would go a long way in addressing some of the systemic challenges plaguing the NPA and will also attract much-needed prosecution skills. The DA presented its bold plan on Friday morning after the NPA lost high-profile cases like the Vrede Dairy scandal, the Zizi Kodwa corruption case, and the Transnet corruption trial, which have all collapsed due to incompetence. The party said even routine prosecutions were slipping through the cracks, with private groups like AfriForum succeeding where the State failed. DA justice spokesperson, Glynnis Breytenbach, said the ACC would be free from political interference and go a long way in addressing the skills shortage. "To fill up an Anti-Corruption Commission with competent staff would be much easier than the NPA. The ACC would not be hampered by the appointment processes that hamstring the NPA. The commission would have a different funding model, so it would be able to compete with salaries." She's called on Parliament to support the reforms, "or continue protecting the status quo where the corrupt are able to walk away scot-free".
