Mapaballo Borotho
- NDPP Shamila Batohi has been accused of disrespect after walking out of the Nkabinde Commission of Inquiry and refusing to continue her testimony.
- She says she halted proceedings to seek legal advice following intense cross-examination.
- The inquiry is investigating allegations of misconduct and politically motivated decisions involving Gauteng prosecutions boss Advocate Andrew Chauke.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi has been accused of acting disrespectfully after abruptly halting her testimony at the Nkabinde Commission of Inquiry on Monday.
Batohi walked out of the proceedings and, when asked when she would return to answer outstanding questions, she said she did not know.
She later indicated that she had decided to suspend her testimony to seek legal advice.
Her decision followed days of heated cross-examination at the inquiry, which is probing the fitness of Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andrew Chauke to hold office.
Chauke faces allegations of questionable prosecutorial decisions and political interference.
Batohi’s conduct has drawn public criticism, with some describing it as unacceptable and showing a lack of respect for the commission and the public it represents.
The Nkabinde Commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa after Batohi referred Chauke’s case to him, alleging that the Gauteng prosecutions boss had protected high-profile individuals and made politically motivated prosecutorial decisions.
During her testimony, Batohi reportedly raised concerns about Chauke’s alleged reluctance to prosecute Duduzane Zuma for culpable homicide following a 2014 crash in which Zuma’s Porsche collided with a taxi.
Proceedings were halted after Batohi failed to return following the lunch break. She has since apologised to the chairperson of the inquiry, saying she meant no disrespect but will only resume her testimony after consulting legal counsel.
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