Chauke Inquiry denies postponement request, defence witnesses to take stand Thursday

The inquiry into Gauteng prosecutions boss Andrew Chauke has rejected a request by evidence leaders to postpone hearings to 17 February.

The inquiry will now resume on Thursday, 12 February, with Advocate Chauke’s legal team cleared to start calling witnesses immediately.

Evidence leaders have battled to bring witnesses before the inquiry after former NPA head Shamila Batohi was grilled by Chauke's lawyers; they told the panel their witnesses are not ready.

The first to testify in Chauke’s defence is Advocate Sello Maema, former Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the North-West.

The panel has set strict deadlines: witness statements must be circulated two days before testimony, with the initial statement due on 10 February, and any supplementary documents by 12 noon on 11 February.

This change of plan comes after former NPA head Advocate Shamila Batohi abandoned her testimony in December during cross-examination, citing a lack of legal representation. Batohi has now appointed a legal team, but it is unclear when she will resume her testimony.

The inquiry has until June to complete its work.

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