Corruption Allegations Rock South Africa's Justice System
National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi has revealed that she reported intelligence regarding a potentially corrupt prosecutor to President Cyril Ramaphosa. This bombshell admission came during a heated parliamentary session focused on the infiltration of South Africa's criminal justice system.
Batohi's testimony before Parliament's ad hoc committee addressed concerns ranging from foreign funding of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to the stalled extradition of the Gupta brothers, who are accused of looting billions from the country. Members of Parliament (MPs) also questioned whether the ANC's 'step-aside' policy, which requires members facing criminal charges to step down from their positions, influenced prosecutorial decisions.
MK party MP Sibonelo Nomvalo directly asked if the policy impacted decisions leading up to elective conferences. Batohi responded that she had only encountered the issue via media reports, denying any direct influence on prosecutorial actions.
Malema Accuses NPA of Foreign Influence
EFF leader Julius Malema challenged Batohi's initial statement that the NPA didn't require additional funding, prompting her to retract the claim. He accused the NPA of accepting 'money-in-kind from the Germans,' warning that foreign support could compromise the NPA's independence. Malema argued that the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) should prioritize high-profile corruption cases, such as the Tembisa Hospital looting, over internal disputes.
Concerns Over NPA's Relationship with SAPS
ActionSA's Dereleen James voiced alarm over Batohi's assertion that the NPA works 'very well' with the South African Police Service (SAPS), questioning whether prosecutors were integrated into counterintelligence structures. Batohi maintained that safeguards were in place to prevent the NPA from being beholden to external influences, noting that services received from foreign partners are disclosed in annual reports.
Gupta Extradition Update
Regarding the Gupta brothers, Batohi assured MPs that the extradition process would be finalized before her term ends. The Guptas fled South Africa to Dubai after being accused of using their connections with government officials to loot billions of rand from state-owned enterprises. The ongoing saga continues to fuel public anger and demands for accountability.