ActionSA
By Lerato Mpembe
ActionSA took their fight for justice to the doorstep of the Justice Minister today, marching in a bold call for Shamila Batohi to step down as head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The party claims her leadership has failed South Africans, pointing to a string of high-profile case flops and a broader collapse in public trust. With banners raised and voices loud, ActionSA demanded not just her removal, but a complete overhaul of the NPA to restore the rule of law.
A March Fuelled by Frustration
The streets of Pretoria buzzed with determination as ActionSA members and supporters gathered to deliver a clear message: Shamila Batohi must go. The march, which ended at the Justice Minister’s office, was more than a protest—it was a plea for accountability. ActionSA’s National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont, led the charge, accusing Batohi of overseeing an NPA that’s become “totally ineffective.”
“We’re here because South Africans deserve better,” Beaumont told the crowd. “The breakdown of the rule of law touches every one of us. From violent crime victims who see no justice, to high-profile cases that collapse, the NPA has failed under Shamila Batohi’s watch.”
The party handed over a memorandum to the Justice Ministry, demanding Batohi’s immediate suspension and an investigation into her tenure. They also called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to kickstart the process of appointing a new NPA head—someone “serious” enough to tackle the country’s justice crisis.
Why ActionSA Wants Batohi Out
ActionSA didn’t hold back in laying out their case. They slammed Batohi’s track record, arguing that her five years as National Director of Public Prosecutions have been marked by a “growing list of failures.” Among the examples they cited:
- Timothy Omotoso Case: The televangelist, accused of rape and human trafficking, walked free after a series of prosecutorial missteps left the case in tatters.
- Cholata Extradition: The stalled extradition of Moroadi Cholota, linked to former ANC bigwig Ace Magashule, became a symbol of the NPA’s inability to handle complex international cases.
- Everyday Justice: Beyond the headlines, ActionSA highlighted the plight of ordinary South Africans, who face a justice system that fails to deliver even in “low-profile” violent crime cases.
Beaumont didn’t mince words in an interview at the march. “Shamila Batohi came into office promising renewal—a ‘new dawn’ for the NPA. But it’s been far from that. We’ve seen failure after failure, and it’s time for decisive leadership.”
With Batohi’s term set to end in January 2026—just eight months away—ActionSA insists it’s not too late to act. “It’s never too late to show South Africans we’re serious about removing underperformance,” Beaumont said. “But we’re also worried. There’s no sign of a recruitment process for her replacement. We can’t let this drag on while the NPA flounders.”
The NPA’s Struggles: A Deeper Crisis
The march comes amid growing scrutiny of the NPA’s performance. Since taking the helm in 2019, Batohi has faced mounting challenges. High-profile flops—like the stalled Gupta brothers’ extradition tied to state capture, the collapse of Shepherd Bushiri’s case, and setbacks in the Estina dairy farm probe—have eroded public confidence. Even the Zondo Commission, which exposed over R500 billion in alleged looting, has seen only six prosecutions, a glaring sign of the NPA’s struggles with complex cases.
Batohi herself dropped a bombshell earlier this year. In a June 2025 interview, she claimed the NPA is “infiltrated” by rogue elements—both inside and out—sabotaging its work. “There are individuals with ulterior motives acting internally and externally,” she said, sparking alarm across the country. She later clarified that “90% of cases are going well,” pinning the blame on specific prosecutors rather than a rotten system. But for many, the damage was done.
ActionSA’s march wasn’t just about Batohi—it was a cry for systemic change. Beaumont pointed to chronic underfunding as a key issue. “The NPA can’t go after big cases when it’s starved of resources,” he said. “This government has continued a pattern of underfunding, and it’s crippling justice.”
He also called out a lack of political will. “Prosecutors, from the middle ranks to the top, know that if they target the wrong people, their jobs are at risk. We need a President and Justice Minister who say, ‘Do your job, we’ve got your back.’ That’s not happening.”
Malema’s Call: A Judiciary Inquiry
The NPA’s woes have drawn other voices into the fray. On 12 June 2025, EFF leader Julius Malema wrote to President Ramaphosa, urging him to appoint former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng to lead a judiciary inquiry into the NPA. Malema seized on Batohi’s infiltration claims, calling it a “systemic breakdown” that threatens South Africa’s rule of law.
Malema’s letter proposed a sweeping probe to uncover:
- The extent of infiltration within the NPA.
- Whether political agendas have derailed major cases, including corruption and gender-based violence.
- The effectiveness of the NPA’s internal checks.
- How senior appointments have impacted independence.
He praised Mogoeng’s “firm adherence to constitutional principles,” arguing that his leadership could restore credibility, much like the 2018 SARS inquiry did. For ActionSA, Malema’s call adds weight to their push for accountability, though their focus remains on Batohi’s removal.
Political Reactions and Public Anger
The march has ignited a political firestorm. ActionSA’s Athol Trollip has demanded Batohi’s suspension and a parliamentary inquiry, branding the NPA a “refuge for the politically connected.” The DA, while critical, prefers systemic reforms—like constitutional changes to shield the NPA from interference—over a leadership shake-up. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party went further, calling Batohi “incompetent” and demanding her dismissal.
Civil society groups are also weighing in, pressing for a transparent process to choose Batohi’s successor. For ordinary South Africans, the NPA’s failures hit hard. From rural communities battling crime to urban families watching corruption go unpunished, the demand for a working justice system is louder than ever.
President Ramaphosa has responded cautiously. After meeting Batohi to discuss her infiltration claims, he said the NPA has “stabilised” but admitted setbacks. He’s ordered lifestyle audits of prosecutors and tasked Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi with rooting out rogues. Still, with pressure mounting, Ramaphosa faces a tough call: launch a full inquiry or stick to smaller fixes.
Batohi’s Defence: Achievements and Challenges
Shamila Batohi isn’t going down without a fight. She’s highlighted successes like the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), improved digital evidence units, and asset recoveries nearing record levels. “High-profile failures aren’t the full story,” she’s argued, insisting most cases succeed.
But she’s candid about the hurdles: internal sabotage, underfunding, low pay driving staff away, court backlogs, and defence tactics that stall progress. Batohi has even pushed for the suspension of Johannesburg’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Chauke, over questionable decisions in cases tied to figures like Richard Mdluli and Zizi Kodwa. Ramaphosa’s delay in acting on this has only fuelled ActionSA’s fire
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