National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi has confirmed that she received confidential intelligence about attempts to infiltrate the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee on police corruption, Batohi revealed that she was alerted by an intelligence agency and subsequently briefed Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Batohi emphasised that while most prosecutors remain committed to upholding the rule of law, an implicated prosecutor has since been suspended pending investigation.
“I’m not able to say who gave me this intelligence. It was a formal meeting I had with a member from a particular agency who provided this information. These were very serious. I asked the president, It’s important that we understand what is going on and that there should be a proper investigation into this matter,” said Batohi.
Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has criticised Batohi for refusing to name the NPA prosecutor allegedly linked to organised crime. Batohi declined to disclose the individual’s identity, citing the ongoing investigation.
Malema said a corrupt NPA poses a direct threat to South Africa’s Constitution and demanded transparency. “We are asking for names; that’s why we are here. We want names of corrupt prosecutors, judges, and police. The whole idea of this inquiry is accountability,” he argued, adding that if Batohi cannot provide details, she should step aside.
The committee is expected to continue its probe into corruption within law enforcement agencies.
VOC News
Photo: Sourced
