Malema says NPA boss Shamila Batohi is controlled by a group close to Pravin Gordhan

03 February 2019 - 10:07
By Theto Mahlakoana
SA's new National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi. Picture: GCIS
SA's new National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi. Picture: GCIS

EFF leader Julius Malema has cast doubt on the independence of newly appointed head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Shamila Batohi.

Malema told thousands of EFF supporters gathered in Soshanguve for its manifesto launch on Saturday that the national director of public prosecutions is “controlled by the group that is close to Pravin Gordhan”.

“To be honest I don’t trust the new head of the NPA because she is too close to Pravin Gordhan,” he said.

Batohi started her tenure at the NPA this week, telling journalists that she was starting the job at a time of crisis for the rule of law.

President Cyril Ramaphosa hired the NPA head in 2018 following a Constitutional Court decision that found that the former head of the NPA Shaun Abrahams’ appointment was invalid.

mahlakoanat@businesslive.co.za

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