Batohi warns prosecutors are becoming targets in high-profile cases

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Head Adv Shamila Batohi speaks to her spokesperson Adv Mthunzi Mhaga at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on November 12, 2025.

National Director of Public Prosecution, Advocate Shamila Batohi, has conceded that South Africa’s fight against organised crime is not working as it should.

Batohi was testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations raised by KZN Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, on political interference, criminal infiltration and corruption in the criminal justice system.

Batohi says prosecutors are increasingly becoming targets, especially in high-profile cases.

Batohi appeared before the Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration in the justice system.

She expresses concern over the increasing number of prosecutors who are being assassinated.

Batohi says, “It’s a very serious and growing concern. In 40 years of me prosecuting, I have never been worried about, it says a lot about what is going on in the country. Prosecutors being prosecuted is a new phenomenon.”