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Former National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi.
Former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi says that during her tenure, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was committed to resolving and giving closure to outstanding Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases.
Batohi is testifying at the TRC Cases Inquiry in Newtown, Johannesburg.
She served as NDPP from February 2019 to January 2026.
Batohi says under her watch, a sub-unit was set up to deal with TRC matters and additional prosecutors and investigators were brought in on a dedicated basis.
She says that at that time, the adoption of a prosecutor guided investigation model allowed for the reopening of inquests into the cases of Griffiths Mxenge, Chief Albert Luthuli, the Northcrest Five, Cradock Four and Steve Biko.
An earlier witness, former TRC Commissioner Yasmin Sooka said in her testimony to the commission said that the inquiry should look into Bathohi for dereliction of duty in respect of the prosecution of TRC Cases.
Sooka said that families of victims were initially optimistic following Batohi’s appointment; but were subsequently disappointed.
