Ramaphosa announces meeting with NPA boss to clear the air about perceived knots

PRETORIA - President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Shamila Batohi.

This follows comments that she made suggesting corrupt prosecutors have infiltrated the unit.

Batohi made the shocking remarks during a recent television interview, saying the NPA has some individuals who do not respect the rule of law.

While Batohi later clarified her comments, stating she did not intend to use the word "infiltration", she is still required to account to the president.

Ramaphosa weighed in on the matter while engaging media on the sidelines of a government event in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, on Tuesday.

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Batohi has been under significant pressure, primarily due to the NPA's mismanagement of several criminal cases, including those related to State capture.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was the acquittal of televangelist Timothy Omotoso and former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s former secretary, Moroadi Cholota, last week.

In defending the NPA, Batohi said the organisation has been infiltrated by individuals pushing a counterproductive agenda.

Ramaphosa says he has called a meeting with Batohi for her to express her concerns.

“I am going to have a meeting with her, so that she can download and take out of her chest some of the challenges she is facing.”