NPA's Batohi clashes with MPs for refusing to name prosecutor implicated in corruption

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Advocate Shamila Batohi, has come under fire from members of Parliament (MPs) for refusing to release the name of a prosecutor implicated in corruption.

Batohi was giving evidence before the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system.

The allegations were originally made by KwaZulu-Natal's top cop, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

READ: Institutions that are fighting for the rule of law under serious threat - Batohi

Batohi maintained it would be premature to release the name of the prosecutor, who was implicated in corrupt activity by Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.

She told the committee that she received the information about the allegedly corrupt prosecutor from Masemola and Khumalo. She further stated that she referred the matter to the Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC) and the member was subsequently suspended.

"I’m not going to mention the name of the prosecutor in this House. The matter is under investigation," Batohi stated.

However, she offered to release the name of the prosecutor to the MPs in a closed session without the media or public present.

Committee members strongly objected to her refusal to release the name.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema was one of the vocal critics.

"To come and say I won’t give you names, even on matters that are public, that is having taken a conscious decision that 'I’m not going to cooperate with them and I’m going to show them that they can’t do anything'. She’s completely undermining us," Malema said.

Batohi confirmed she would first get a legal opinion on the matter before coming back to the committee with the name, either in a closed session or in writing.

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