Overview
- Shamila Batohi told an ad hoc committee she would not identify the suspended prosecutor because the matter is under investigation by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption.
- She said the tipoff came from National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, and she formally referred the case to IDAC.
- Batohi argued it is NPA practice to name individuals only once they appear in court and warned that premature disclosure could unfairly harm reputations.
- Citing security risks, she referenced the recent kidnapping of IDAC investigations head Matthew Sesoko after his name surfaced during the committee’s public hearings.
- Opposition MPs, led by Julius Malema, demanded the name or her removal, while Batohi indicated she would seek legal advice on providing the identity in camera; President Cyril Ramaphosa’s separate suspension of Gauteng DPP Andrew Chauke remains in place pending an inquiry.