NPA head confronted with witness intimidation claims against Booysen

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Head Shamila Batohi has been confronted with alleged incidents of intimidation of witnesses by former KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks Head Johan Booysen.

Batohi is testifying at the inquiry investigating the fitness to hold office of Johannesburg Prosecutions Boss, Advocate Andrew Chauke.

While Chauke is accused of making questionable prosecutorial decisions, he is also accused of leading Booysen's prosecution with no evidence justifying the decision.

Last week, Batohi testified that she withdrew the charges against Booysen and his Cato Manor Unit without having read the dockets.

She said she believed there was no case against Booysen, but Advocate Andrew Chauke improperly decided to prosecute Booysen with no evidence justifying the decision.

On Friday, Chauke's lawyer Tembeka Ngcukaitobi presented Batohi with WhatsApp conversations from 2019 between Booysen and a man referred to as 'Mr Danicus,' a witness in a murder case against Booysen, who had fled the country to Europe.

Chauke's lawyers said shortly after this exchange, the NPA under Batohi's instruction withdrew the charge against Booysen but did not consult or inform Danicus who was still in Europe.

ALSO READ: Cross-examination of NDPP Shamila Batohi raises questions over her Nkabinde Inquiry testimony