Batohi appoints legal team to represent her at inquiry into Chauke

Former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Shamila Batohi has now appointed a legal team to represent her at the inquiry into Gauteng prosecutions boss Andrew Chauke, but it’s unclear when she will resume her testimony.

Batohi walked out of the inquiry in December after facing tough questions during cross examination, citing a lack of legal representation.

ALSO READ:

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

Panel alters procedure in Nkabinde inquiry to meet NPA Act deadlines

Nkabinde Inquiry presses Batohi to back her allegations against Chauke

The inquiry will resume this Thursday after the application to postpone to next week was rejected.

On Monday, the Nkabinde Inquiry rejected a request by evidence leaders to postpone hearings to 17 February.

It has instead given the green light to Chauke’s legal team to lead evidence prior to evidence leaders concluding their case.

However, evidence will still have an opportunity to call witnesses, should be they willing to come forward.

The first to testify in Chauke’s defence is Advocate Sello Maema, the 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 by 10 February, and any supplementary documents by 12 noon on 11 February.

The inquiry has until June to complete its work.