Ramaphosa denies summoning Batohi

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has denied summoning National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi to explain to him remarks she made about some prosecutors being in cahoots with rogue external elements to sabotage prosecutions of high-profile cases.

- BONGANI HANS

Ramaphosa’s denial, through his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, came after media outlets reported that he had called her to a high-level meeting to explain her remarks.

“At no point did the president say he would be ‘summoning’ advocate Batohi over her comments,” said Magwenya.

Batohi’s term of office, which will end early next year, has faced difficulties as the NPA has struggled to prosecute high-profile suspects such as the Gupta brothers, which is a failure to secure their extradition from their United Arab Emirates hideout.

Recently, controversial Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso was acquitted of charges of assaulting women. One of former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s co-accused, Moroadi Cholota, was acquitted of 32 charges including rape, human trafficking and racketeering.

The NPA has indicated its intention to appeal against Cholota’s acquittal.

NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga did not respond to questions sent to him on Thursday.

The NPA is still struggling to extradite Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary Bushiri, from their home country, Malawi, to come back to South Africa to face fraud and money laundering charges.