Batohi wants names of 'prosecutors linked to criminal syndicates'

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, yesterday said she will write to national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to ask for information regarding the prosecutors who were allegedly participating in ensuring criminal syndicates evade justice.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Testifying at the parliamentary inquiry probing allegations made by KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Batohi said there were no names provided by Mkhwanazi when he made the explosive allegations at a media briefing on July 6.

"I will write to the National Commissioner to ask him to reveal that we want the names of those prosecutors that General Mkhwanazi alleged are involved in any kind of criminal activities. This is something we have to investigate," she said.

Batohi was responding to a question by ANC MP Xola Nqola, on whether she has established the veracity of the allegations made by Mkhwanazi and set up mechanisms to ensure such things do not happen.

Nqola noted that Chief Justice Mandisa Maya had called for those who had information, about implicated members of the judiciary, to come forward.

According to Batohi, Mkhwanazi did not mention names at the media briefing, and she did not know whether he was pressed to reveal the names at the inquiry.

"Those are the names we need. I will be writing to the National Commissioner to get that information to make sure it is properly investigated. It;s just that we need time but it is an urgent matter that needs attention."

In her evidence earlier in the day, Batohi said the NPA Act allows for the creation of an office to deal with integrity issues.