NPA CRISIS: RAMAPHOSA TO MEET BATOHI

President Cyril Ramaphosa has summoned Advocate Shamila Batohi, for a high-level meeting following her controversial statements about the National Prosecuting Authority

- KAMOGELO MOICHELA [e-mail]

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has called National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi to a high-level meeting following her recent remarks accusing prosecutors within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of grave violations.

Last week Batohi, responding to criticism over several embarrassing defeats in high-profile cases, said there had been “infiltration” of the prosecution service, but later backtracked, saying she had used the wrong term and instead that certain cases were being deliberately sabotaged. Her remarks have raised serious doubts regarding the independence and integrity of South Africa's legal system.

Ramaphosa sees the meeting as an important chance for Batohi to clarify the scope of the purported infiltration and to thoroughly express her concerns.