I won’t stand for political interference, vows Batohi
The new head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Shamila Batohi has warned politicians not to attempt to interfere with her organisation.
Friday marks Batohi’s first day at the helm of the embattled prosecuting authority.
She is the first woman to ever head up the NPA and faces the monumental task of rebuilding the beleaguered organisation.
She succeeds Shaun Abrahams, whose tenure was cut short after the Constitutional Court ruled that his appointment was invalid.
Batohi said should there be political meddling she is willing to approach the highest court in the land.
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"So I feel fairly confident that that will not happen but who knows what's going to happen in the future and if does for any reason then I will fiercely defend it. It's a constitutional issue and I will take it to the Constitutional Court if needs be."
Batohi said President Cyril Ramaphosa has already promised her that she would not be under any political pressure.
"I said to him: ‘I know it is guaranteed in the constitution but I want you sitting here to add assurance’. And unhesitatingly the president said there will no political interference into the work of the NPA."
Batohi said she is committed to ending the scourge of crime and corruption.
"Perpetrators of crime and corruption within the state and private sector regardless of who you are, where you are, how rich you are your days of acting with impunity are numbered,"she warned.
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