Batohi Defiant on Gupta and Omotoso Cases: “We’ll Bring Them Back”

Under fire in Parliament, the NPA head says South Africa won’t give up on holding the Guptas or Omotoso accountable

After eight years of public frustration and courtroom drama, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it’s not giving up.

Shamila Batohi, head of the NPA, told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) this week that efforts to extradite controversial Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and the elusive Gupta brothers are far from over.

Omotoso’s Acquittal Sparks Backlash, But NPA Plans Appeal

Timothy Omotoso, whose name became synonymous with the longest-running sex crime trial in South African history, was acquitted last month alongside two co-accused. His deportation shortly after the verdict raised concerns that justice might never be served, but Batohi was clear: the fight isn’t over.

“If the appeal is successful, we do intend to bring him back,” Batohi told MPs, adding that South Africa has an extradition treaty with Nigeria, making his return legally viable.

She also acknowledged the emotional toll on survivors, saying Omotoso’s presence in South Africa as a free man could have deepened the trauma experienced by his accusers.

“His deportation, while disappointing, has at least meant victims aren’t forced to see him walk around freely,” she said.

Gupta Brothers: “12 Diplomatic Notes Later, Still No Answer”

If there’s a name that haunts South Africa’s fight against state capture, it’s Gupta. And for Batohi and her team, Atul and Rajesh Gupta’s extradition from the UAE has become a saga marked by silence, stalling, and diplomatic dead ends.

Investigating Directorate (IDAC) head Andrea Johnson told the committee that South Africa sent 12 diplomatic requests known as note verbales to the UAE, requesting an explanation for the failed extradition in 2023.

To date? No reply.

“How do you resubmit when you’ve already provided a complete set of legally vetted documents, which they themselves approved?” Johnson asked, visibly frustrated.

Despite this diplomatic brick wall, Johnson confirmed the NPA is preparing new extradition applications, not just for the Estina Dairy and Nulane fraud cases, but also for additional state capture matters.

Public Frustration Growing, But NPA Urges Patience

While Batohi defended the institution’s track record pointing to successful extraditions in other countries she conceded that public confidence is wearing thin.

High-profile cases like the Gupta brothers and Omotoso are just the tip of the iceberg. The NPA has faced criticism over its slow pace and lack of convictions in corruption trials, including the recent arrest of former minister Zizi Kodwa on bribery charges.

“We’re operating in a legal framework that demands precision,” Batohi explained. “These are complex, international cases. We understand the public frustration — but justice, done properly, takes time.”

She pleaded with South Africans to “not lose faith” in the prosecutorial system and stressed that the Guptas’ case was particularly difficult due to legal, not political, obstacles.

South Africans React: “We’ve Heard It All Before”

On social media, reactions to the NPA’s update ranged from hopeful to sceptical.

“If the Guptas are ever brought back, I’ll eat my hat,” wrote one X user, while another responded: “Omotoso getting deported felt like a final slap to survivors. Fix this.”

Others praised Batohi for her firm stance, but many expressed concern that years of legal delays and failed extraditions have eroded public trust.

“Promises mean little without convictions,” tweeted one activist lawyer. “We want to see orange overalls, not more paperwork.”

For the NPA, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Gupta brothers’ return would mark a symbolic milestone in South Africa’s battle against corruption. Omotoso’s case remains a litmus test for the justice system’s ability to serve survivors.

Batohi says the institution is learning from past challenges, bolstering its legal strategies, and making new diplomatic overtures.

Still, the question remains: Will South Africa finally see justice — or just another chapter of waiting?

One thing is clear: the NPA is betting on a comeback. But the public is watching, and time is running out.

{Source: The Citizen}

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