Batohi unperturbed by amplified pressure to resign as NPA head
Speaking to EWN on the sidelines of Parliament this week, Batohi said the NPA is being unfairly judged on setbacks in headline cases, rather than its overall increased performance over the last five years.
FILE: NPA head, Shamila Batohi, appeared before Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) in Cape Town on 20 November 2024. Picture: Phando Jikelo/Parliament
CAPE TOWN - The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Shamila Batohi, is unperturbed by the amplified pressure she’s faced this past week to step down, saying she would only do so if she thought she was doing a bad job.
On Thursday, ActionSA marched on the Department of Justice, demanding that the minister begin a removal process against Batohi.
ALSO READ:
- Kubayi commits to meeting with ActionSA after it called for Batohi’s remova
- Batohi clarifies comment about NPA being 'infiltrated', tells MPs she used wrong term
- Batohi adamant she won’t resign despite repeated calls for her head by opposition parties
Speaking to EWN on the sidelines of Parliament this week, Batohi said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is being unfairly judged on setbacks in headline cases, rather than its overall increased performance over the last five years.
It’s been another gruelling week for the embattled NPA head, facing off with her detractors in consecutive marathon meetings before two parliamentary portfolio committees.
But Batohi, who only has a few months left in office before retiring, is determined to leave on her own terms.
“I’m not in this job because of the power or the money, or anything. I’m here because I want to serve the people of South Africa. We want to ensure the rule of justice prevails in this country.”
She said the NPA has suffered reputational risk owing to setbacks in complex matters, but each of them should be seen as an exception with its specific challenges.
“There’s a whole lot of incredibly good work. That is why I will not step down as the head of the NPA. I believe there’s work to do, and I intend to finish the last seven months of my term.”
Batohi said the NPA can also be credited for ticking off the two most difficult aspects of complying with the Financial Action Task Force checklist, ensuring that South Africa is removed from the notorious greylist.