Shamila Batohi to face tough questions at inquiry into Andrew Chauke

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Shamila Batohi will face tough questions at the inquiry into Johannesburg top prosecutor Andrew Chauke on Monday morning.

Chauke's lawyers are expected to begin cross-examining Batohi, who is the NPA's main witness.

The prosecutions boss laid a complaint against Chauke with President Cyril Ramaphosa, questioning his fitness to hold office.

The inquiry is centred around Chauke’s role in the prosecution of KwaZulu-Natal former Hawks head Johan Booysen and his decision not to charge former intelligence head Richard Mdluli for murder.

READ: Nkabinde Inquiry presses Batohi to back her allegations against Chauke

Last week, a tense exchange erupted between Baothi and the panel presiding over the enquiry into Chauke over whether she would be cross-examined.

While it seemed Batohi had the impression that she would not be cross-examined, after she expressed her discomfort with the panel in a private conversation, the chair, Bess Nkabinde, insisted that no promise was made to Batohi that she would be shielded from cross-examination.

The inquiry has also heard that the NPA would like to amend the terms of reference and will be making a formal application.

This, as the panellists have repeatedly asked Batohi to connect her allegations with the inquiry’s terms of reference.

On Monday morning, Chauke’s lawyer, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, will begin with his cross-examination of Batohi.