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Ramaphosa to meet Batohi over infiltration claims

todayJune 10, 2025 36

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says he doesn’t believe that there’s any state capture at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Ramaphosa’s comments come as the NPA faces backlash over its failure to successfully prosecute a number of high-profile cases, such as those involving state capture and the sexual assault case against Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, among others.

Calls have also been made for the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate, Shamila Batohi, to be fired as she has failed to do her job.

Batohi fueled the fire again after she said, in interviews, that the NPA had been infiltrated by unscrupulous prosecutors working with criminals to deliberately bungle cases, raising many eyebrows.

Speaking at the Sefako Makgatho Primary School in Pretoria on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said he will be meeting with the NPA boss to get clarity on what is happening at the prosecutions agency.

Despite the many calls for her to resign, Batohi has reiterated that she isn’t going anywhere.

Her term ends in January next year. However, parties like ActionSA believes she has overstayed her welcome and should vacate office.

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) has on the other hand called on President Ramaphosa not to renew Batohi’s contract.

The organisation has also urged the President to ensure that the correct process is followed in appointing her replacement.

“Without the right appointment process, and an urgent inquiry into the NPA by a retired judge, the country risks repeating past mistakes and missing a chance to strengthen a vital institution to restore the rule of law,” says the CDE Executive Director, Ann Bernstein.

Bernstein says the NPA has been captured and has yet to fully recover and rebuild an effective national organisation.

She adds that leaders who have unblemished integrity, legal qualifications to appear in all courts, proven experience managing a large organisation, and a clear commitment to the NPAโ€™s independence should be considered for the job.

“Without an effective NPA, the prospect of turning the tide against corruption and crime is almost impossible,” Bernstein warned.

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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