Batohi tells Parly committee NPA remains vulnerable after State capture
National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi confirmed receiving classified intelligence about attempts to compromise prosecutors and certain cases, as well as information regarding a potentially corrupt prosecutor, which she referred to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
The Parliamentary Ad Hoc committee investigating allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi concluded hearing evidence from Batohi on Tuesday.
She addressed allegations of an organised crime network involving drug cartels, business figures and possible infiltration of the criminal justice system, including the South African Police Service (Saps), the judiciary and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Batohi also spoke on prosecutorial conduct and the working relationship between the IDAC and the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), including whether IDAC or its officials may have interfered in police investigations or exceeded their mandate.
Committee chairperson Molapi Lekganyane pointed out that on the issue of possible infiltration within the justice system, Batohi acknowledged that the NPA remains vulnerable to compromise and is still recovering from the effects of State capture.
The committee accepted Batohi's request not to disclose the sensitive details at this stage.
Lekganyane said Batohi explained that her direct involvement had been limited and referenced testimony given by KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Elaine Harrison before the Madlanga Commission.
The committee expressed concerns over the limited detail provided regarding collaboration between the NPA and the PKTT, noting that Batohi referred to evidence already presented elsewhere.
Batohi also briefed the committee on the NPA's internal integrity structures, noting that between 2019 and 2024, the Office for Ethics and Accountability handled 58 complaints of corruption and misconduct, several of which led to dismissals and criminal charges.
"In her concluding remarks, Batohi reaffirmed the urgent need for legislative amendments to provide robust protection and support mechanisms for whistleblowers and witnesses, who are vital in the fight against corruption," Lekganyane said.
The committee will continue its inquiry on Thursday, to hear evidence from Chief of Staff in the Office of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Cedrick Nkabinde.
Meanwhile, last week Mchunu voluntarily handed over his electronic devices to Saps investigators as part of the ongoing investigation.