Ramaphosa calls high-level meeting with Shamilla Bathoi following allegations of NPA infiltration

A RECENT utterance by Advocate Shamila Batohi, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, has resulted in her being summoned to a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Bathoi's suggestion that the National Prosecuting Authority, the entity that she heads, has been 'infiltrated' and that its integrity might be compromised as rogue prosecutors collude with criminal elements to undermine the authority's work, has resulted in Ramaphosa's reflex action. 

Her comments, last week has become a major talking point.

Therefore, the meeting, which will be highly anticipated, especially since there has been widespread calls for Bathoi to step down based on the NPA's failings, especially in high-profile matters, is poised to be a pivotal moment in South Africa's legal landscape.

In a series of candid interviews, Batohi expressed her concerns over what she described as significant breaches of conduct within the NPA, raising alarms about the independence of South Africa's judicial framework.

“The NDPP did make that statement and she later said she used the wrong word about the infiltration.

I’m going to have a meeting with her so that she can really download and take off the chest some of the challenges,” Ramaphosa stated during a visit to Sefako Makgatho Primary School on Tuesday.

The president acknowledged the importance of the meeting, where Batohi will have the opportunity to clarify the scope of her claims and discuss the implications for the NPA’s integrity.

Despite the unrest surrounding her statements, Ramaphosa expressed confidence in the progress the NPA has made, saying, “The NPA has really done considerable work to stabilise itself as well as go on with various prosecutions.”

He emphasised the need to recognise the challenges faced by the authority while avoiding an overarching narrative that dismisses its achievements.

The NPA has faced mounting scrutiny for its handling of high-profile cases, particularly those linked to state capture and the contentious sexual assault trial of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso.

In light of Batohi's comments, criticism has intensified, prompting various political parties to voice their opinions on her future at the helm of the NPA.

ActionSA has called for her resignation, labelling her leadership as ineffective in light of the NPA’s shortcomings, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) has rallied behind her, vehemently opposing calls for her dismissal.

In a robust response to her critics, Batohi has maintained her stance, asserting that she remains steadfast in her role and is not considering resignation.

Her term as NDPP is set to expire in January 2026, a period during which she hopes to resolve both internal conflicts and external pressures affecting the NPA’s operations.

South Africa’s legal system faces a crucial juncture as the fallout from Batohi's allegations reverberates across the political spectrum.

With this meeting slated to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate the complexities of public trust in the nation’s prosecuting body.

DAILY NEWS