Phala Phala case under review by NPA, Batohi confirms

NATIONAL Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi has said the decision not to prosecute anyone in connection with the Phala Phala scandal was being reviewed.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

"It is in review. The matter is in head office. It is being dealt with by the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCU)," Batohi said.

The initial decision to decline to prosecute was taken by the Limpopo Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Batohi was responding to a followup question by EFF leader Julius Malema at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Malema raised his concerns that Batohi came to the Parliament and did not know what was happening with the Phala Phala case.

"It will be very worrisome if you come before this platform, and say you don't know what is happening,' he said, adding that the Limpopo DPP refused in 2024 to prosecute the case involving the theft of US dollars from the farm owned by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Earlier, when Batohi was questioned by MPs, MK Party's Vusi Shongwe said she was perceived as Ramaphosa's protector and he asked why Ramaphosa was not charged.