Friday, 6 June 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters notes with deep concern the recent public remarks by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, in which she effectively admits that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is infiltrated, compromised, and dysfunctional, yet refuses to accept that there is a leadership crisis or that urgent structural intervention is required.

In what can only be described as contradictory and evasive commentary, Advocate Batohi acknowledges that the NPA has faced serious criticism in over 12 major cases, including those involving gender-based violence (GBV), yet insists this does not amount to institutional failure. In the same breath, she claims to have fought for justice in GBV cases her entire life, even as she presides over an institution where prosecution rates for GBV remain dismally low, and high-profile cases like that of Timothy Omotoso have dragged on for eight years with no justice delivered.

Batohi’s admission that the credibility of prosecutors in the Omotoso case is in question is damning. Her suggestion that an appeal will be pursued, despite Omotoso already being deported, reveals the absence of strategic foresight and effective planning. This is the same institution that has failed to extradite Bushiri from Malawi and the Guptas from the UAE or elsewhere, all while crime and corruption rise and public trust in the NPA plummets.

Batohi further admits the NPA is under both internal and external pressure, and refers to the institution as “captured” and yet provides no detail and offers no solutions. Her refusal to disclose who is interfering, and her suggestion that she will “take it up with the Executive,” raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the independence of the prosecuting authority.

The EFF is not surprised by these contradictions. The crisis at the NPA is not only one of infiltration, it is one of denial, incompetence, and weak leadership. No transformation of the criminal justice system will be possible if its leadership refuses to acknowledge its own failures while hiding behind platitudes of institutional rebuilding.

It is clear that Batohi has never had a coherent plan, no control over her institution, and no political will to confront the forces undermining the rule of law in South Africa. Her tenure has been marked by delays, deflections, deterioration, and disappointment. The NPA does not need excuses, it needs decisive leadership, transparency, and urgent intervention.

The people of South Africa deserve a prosecuting authority that functions without fear or favour. What we have instead is an institution in crisis, led by someone who cannot admit that there is a crisis at all. This is why the EFF has since written to the Speaker of the National Assembly demanding a debate on the claims made by Batohi as this is a matter of national importance.

ISSUED BY ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Sinawo Thambo (National Spokesperson) 072 629 7422

Thembi Msane (National Spokesperson) 061 467 8169

Andiswa Madikazi (Parliament Media Liason) 069 516 4924

Thato Lebyane (Media Inquiries) 078 563 1581