Batohi Denies Being “Ramaphosa’s Protector,” Confirms Phala Phala Review Underway

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NPA) Shamila Batohi has firmly rejected allegations that she acts as “President Cyril Ramaphosa’s protector,” pushing back against claims of political bias during a tense parliamentary grilling.

The session, which also covered the high-profile arrest of Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, highlighted the intense political pressures surrounding the NPA’s most sensitive cases.

Dismissing the “Protector” Label

The direct accusation came from MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe, who stated that Batohi was widely seen as the president’s protector. Batohi’s response was a swift and simple: “Not that I’m aware of.”

The exchange escalated when EFF leader Julius Malema interjected, disputing Batohi’s account of the Phala Phala farm case. Malema asserted that a decision had been made not to prosecute and that the matter was now with Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Andrea Johnson for review.

Batohi clarified the procedural status, explaining that the review pertains to the Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions’ initial decision to decline prosecution. She stated that the file is currently with the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU), which will convene a panel to consider it.

“That matter will be dealt with,” Batohi assured, while emphasizing, “There’s nothing on my desk for my consideration.” She stressed that the review process is following standard legal channels and that she is not personally handling it.

Defending the Arrest of a Top Cop

Batohi also stood by IDAC’s decision to arrest Lt-Gen Khumalo and six other Crime Intelligence officials in June on charges related to the alleged irregular appointment of a senior official.

When ANC MP Thokozile Sokanyile questioned the “speed” of the arrestsimplying it contrasted with delays in other prominent casesBatohi offered a pragmatic defense.

“We get criticised when we act with speed, and we get criticised when we don’t act with speed,” she remarked. She explained that the pace of any investigation is determined by the availability and strength of evidence, noting that “the more complicated the matter, the harder it is to get the evidence, [so] it will take longer.”

She dismissed suggestions that the arrest was linked to internal factions, stating IDAC only acted because the case was formally referred to them by an MP.

On Political Interference: A Firm Denial

In a significant declaration, Batohi reiterated that she has never experienced improper political interference from the Cabinet since her appointment in 2019.

She defined such interference as a situation where a government official seeks to influence prosecutorial decisions for political reasons. “I never experienced that ever,” she stated, adding that the country may not fully appreciate the importance of having an executive that respects the independence of the prosecuting authority.

The session underscored the delicate balance the NPA must strike: acting decisively on evidence while navigating a political landscape where every major decision is scrutinized and often attributed to ulterior motives. Batohi’s testimony was a firm assertion that, despite the noise, the NPA intends to follow its processes, however long they may take.

{Source: Citizen}

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