The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is under intense scrutiny as ActionSA steps up its campaign to have National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi removed from office, citing a litany of prosecutorial failures that have rocked public confidence in the justice system.
At the heart of ActionSA’s demand is the collapse of the R255-million asbestos corruption case against former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, which was further discredited by the controversial and allegedly unlawful extradition of his former personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota. The party also highlights several other high-profile blunders, including repeated delays in the Timothy Omotoso trial, the botched extradition of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri, and the persistent failure to bring the fugitive Gupta brothers to justice.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has formally requested that Justice Minister Ronald Lamola initiate Batohi’s removal under Section 12 of the NPA Act, calling for a full parliamentary inquiry into the NPA’s competence and independence. He has accused the NPA of either staggering incompetence or shielding the politically connected.
Support for the motion has come from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who have long criticized the NPA’s sluggish pace and institutional inefficiencies. In contrast, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has rallied behind Batohi, arguing that the rot runs deeper than one individual and stems from years of state capture and weakened capacity.
Batohi herself has not remained silent, acknowledging that political interference and internal resistance have hampered progress. Still, she insists reforms are underway and has pledged that the NPA is committed to rebuilding its credibility.
With pressure building from multiple fronts, the fate of South Africa’s prosecuting authority now hangs in the balance—along with the public’s faith in its ability to hold the powerful accountable.
