The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains committed to impartial justice and free from political influence. This is the assurance given by National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi at the annual lecture as part of a partnership between Freedom under Law and Stellenbosch University’s Department of Journalism. In her lecture, held on Monday 14 November in Cape Town, Batohi acknowledged the challenges posed by public skepticism, especially in high-profile cases, yet stressed that a robust NPA is essential in preventing a recurrence of state capture.
In her address, titled “Strengthening the Rule of Law in South Africa: A Collective Responsibility,” Batohi outlined the NPA’s essential role in upholding the rule of law and shared recent organizational advances in the face of global and local challenges, particularly in combating corruption and violent crime. Key initiatives include increased staffing, specialized training programs, and the formation of new units, such as the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, along with community-based outreach projects. These efforts reflect the NPA’s dual mandate to prosecute high-level corruption and ensure justice for crimes affecting everyday citizens.
Batohi closed with a call for collaborative efforts across government, civil society, and the judiciary to protect the NPA’s work from external pressures. She emphasized that sustaining the rule of law in South Africa requires the collective commitment of all citizens.
