NPA’s Batohi ‘needs to step up, not step down’

Instead, he believes the focus should be on improving the functioning of the NPA.

Political parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party have publicly demanded Batohi step down, citing the NPA’s declining success in high-profile prosecutions.

Zikalala argues that rather than removing Batohi, efforts should be made to strengthen the institution’s internal systems, particularly around how high-profile cases are managed.

He stressed the need for the NPA to adopt a consistent, standardized national approach when dealing with major cases to ensure legal clarity and proper support for prosecution teams.

“I think it’s a bit unfair. If we need to assess the conduct of someone, we need to assess it wholeheartedly and look at it from all angles. What should be looked at is the process of saying, let’s look at all the processes that are there – how many cases have you won, are you able to win those cases and what’s the process which we need to go into,” said Zikalala.

He also pointed out that the NPA, together with law enforcement, has contributed meaningfully to convictions in other areas, citing overcrowded prisons as evidence of successful prosecutions.

“We have prisons that are full and those particular prisons, it’s not like people just walk in. It’s the NPA, it’s law enforcement agencies that assisted in making sure that those prisons are full,” he said.

Public criticism of the NPA has intensified following two high-profile developments: the decision not to prosecute suspects in the alleged rape of a minor in the Eastern Cape, and the acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso on 32 charges—including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering. 

Omotoso left the country via OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, reportedly heading to an undisclosed African nation.

Zikalala says that for the NPA to rebuild public trust, it must be more transparent about how it works—particularly its dependence on evidence gathered by police—and why some cases do not proceed to court.

He also emphasised the importance of appointing capable prosecutors and improving communication with the public.

“The type of communication to have from NPA over to us is to be frank and to just say, if there is no evidence – there is no evidence and if there is evidence – there is evidence then we take from there. But to try and hide some few things and deal with them in a proper manner, that is what is going to get us into trouble and that is what we need to look at in a much more critical view,” he said.

Regarding the NPA’s decision to appeal Omotoso’s acquittal, Zikalala warned that the legal team has a difficult task ahead. He said the new prosecutors must review extensive evidence, address complex legal issues, and ensure they are well-resourced to handle the case properly.

“Prosecuting matters is not as easy as getting all the information because everything has to link up and once that process is done, you then have to come back and say, how am I dealing with these issues moving forward and making sure to cover myself regardless of whatever issues I may be facing at a later stage. So, this is the task that they have to face,” Zikalala said.

Meanwhile, Batohi told Members of Parliament on Friday that the NPA has reinforced its prosecution team and remains committed to restoring credibility, particularly in handling serious and sensitive cases.

ALSO READ