Batohi to give final media briefing on NPA’s performance, strategy during her tenure

Outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamina Batohi gives her final media briefing on Friday on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s performance and strategy during her tenure.

Her term in office has been marked by slow progress in prosecuting high-profile cases linked to state capture and apartheid-era crimes despite public assurances that complex investigations were underway.

Several cases remain unresolved years after evidence was presented before the Zondo Commission.

Batohi will be the first national director of public prosecutions to complete a term in office without being controversially removed from office or forced to resign since 1998.

She was appointed in 2019 following public interviews for a non-renewable term of ten years.

She finishes her term with three years to go due to section 12 of the NPA Act, which sets the retirement age at 65.

Her term has been marred by criticism over slow prosecutions of corruption cases linked to state capture.

More recently, Batohi's conduct at the Nkabinde Inquiry has been criticised.

The NPA boss requested a probe into the fitness of Gauteng prosecutions head Andrew Chauke.

But she walked out of the inquiry during cross-examination in 2025, citing the need for legal advice.

Her walkout has stalled the inquiry.

Her successor, Advocate Andy Mothibi, 62, assumes the role from 1 February.