Inquiry battles to find witnesses

Evidence leaders compelled to ask for a postponement

- Nkateko Joseph Mabasa

Officials at the Nka-binde inquiry investigating the fitness of Gauteng director of public prosecutions Andrew Chauke to hold office have requested a postponement after several witnesses changed their minds about testifying.

This came after outgoing national director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi walked out of the inquiry in December and subsequently indicated she was not willing to return to the witness stand until she received legal advice.

Batohi, whose term in office ends this month, was grilled by Chauke’s counsel, advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi who pointed out inconsistencies in the soon-to-depart National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head’s statement and alleged she had not read the case dockets over which she is accusing Chauke of misconduct.

Batohi requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to institute the inquiry, alleging that Chauke failed to prosecute former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli while there was prima facie evidence and instituted racketeering charges against former KwaZulu-Natal head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) Johan Booysen with limited evidence.