Chauke Inquiry seeks waiver for former prosecution chiefs to testify

The inquiry into Johannesburg prosecutions boss, Andrew Chauke, is currently dealing with a waiver application that would allow former prosecutions bosses to testify in the ongoing hearings.

Established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the inquiry is investigating Chauke's fitness to hold office.

He is accused of making questionable prosecutorial decisions and quashing the prosecution of politically connected individuals.

Among the witnesses the suspended Joburg prosecutions boss plans to call are former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Mxolisi Nxasana, deputy prosecutions director in the North West Advocate Sello Maema, and former senior prosecutor Advocate Gerrie Nel.

READ: Suspended Joburg DPP Andrew Chauke to call on legal heavyweights, former NPA officials as part of his defence

Chauke's legal team stated that the witnesses will testify on how prosecutorialdiscretion is applied.

They will also provide more information on the cases for which Chauke has been criticised, including the decision to prosecute former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks bossJohan Booysen for racketeering.

The witnesses are, however, currently bound by the NPA Act, which prohibits them from disclosing information or the record of any evidence given at an investigation.

The inquiry has heard that Chauke's lawyers submitted a request for the identified lawyers to be allowed to testify. As of the hearing, the NPA is yet to approve the request in writing.