- Shamila Batohi said prosecutors must ignore outside influence, including pressure from politicians, the media or wealthy people, when making decisions.
- Andrew Chauke is accused of protecting Richard Mdluli and pushing charges against Johan Booysen even when evidence was weak or missing.
National Prosecuting Authority head Shamila Batohi faced the Nkabinde Inquiry, where she spoke about the pressure prosecutors deal with and the values they must hold.
The inquiry is deciding if Advocate Andrew Chauke is still fit to lead prosecutions in Gauteng.
Batohi was meant to start earlier in the week, but delays between the defence and the evidence leader pushed her testimony to Wednesday.
Chauke’s lawyer, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, told the panel the case has nothing to do with corruption or personal gain. He said the allegations are linked to two old decisions in the Johan Booysen and Richard Mdluli matters.
He told the inquiry that Chauke did not sign off the racketeering charges against Booysen, saying former acting national director Nomgcobo Jiba made that call. In the Mdluli case, he said Chauke paused charges while waiting for an inquest.
Ngcukaitobi said the claims are “vague and embarrassing” and do not amount to misconduct.
Retired Constitutional Court Judge Bess Nkabinde asked Batohi to explain the responsibilities of a Director of Public Prosecutions.
Batohi said the job needs honesty and a commitment to truth. She warned the panel about the constant risk of pressure from politicians, the rich, the media or civil society, and said prosecutors must not give in.
She said she and Chauke had a good relationship, but her duty as national director meant a full hearing was needed for Chauke and for the National Prosecuting Authority.
Batohi told the inquiry the push to charge Booysen and the Cato Manor Unit may have been political. She also said Chauke did not move ahead with strong evidence in the Mdluli case.
She said these events took place before she took over as national director, but they were serious and needed proper scrutiny.
Pictured above: Shamila Batohi.
Image source: File
