National director of public prosecutions advocate Shamila Batohi, testifies at the parliamentary ad hoc committee inquiry into alleged corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system at Good Hope Chambers on 11 November 2025 in Cape Town. Picture: Gallo Images National director of public prosecutions (NDPP) advocate Shamila Batohi left the Nkabinde inquiry in limbo on Monday when she refused to continue with her testimony until she had consulted with her legal team. The Nkabinde inquiry is looking into Gauteng director of public prosecutions Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office.
Theinquiry was set up by President Cyril Ramaphosaafter Batohi referred Chauke’s case to him, alleging the Gauteng director of public prosecutions had protected high-profile people and made politically-motivated prosecutionl choices Batohi reportedly questioned Chauke on his apparent reluctance to prosecute former president Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, for culpable homicide after he crashed his Porsche into a taxi in 2014. The NDPP was still facing cross-examination at theNkabinde inquiry on Monday. The hearings, however, had to be halted after Batohi didn’t return after the lunch break.
Chairperson Justice Bess Nkabinde then ordered Batohi to return after being told she had not sought permission to halt her testimony. Batohi admitted she had not sought permission, but said she did not want to continue without first getting legal counsel. “I decided, chairperson, that I was not going to come back, pending getting proper legal counsel,” she said.
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“I wasn’t seeking permission. That I decided I needed to do, because it is about me and my integrity.” Nkabinde, however, accused Batohi of being disrespectful.
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