New NPA boss promises to serve South Africans
KWAZULU-NATAL’s Advocate Shamila Batohi made history yesterday when she became the first female National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Batohi said she was well aware that a lot had to be done in her new role, but she was confident of succeeding.
She was addressing media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday, shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement.
Batohi thanked the president for having confidence in her, saying she would serve the Constitution and the country’s citizens.
“We have great men and women behind us like Nelson Mandela, Albertina Sisulu and Mahatma Gandhi and I only hope to follow in their lead,” she said.
“I appeal to people to give me their strength to do so. There have been challenges in the past, and the challenges will continue to exist.”
Batohi added that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) played a vital role in the country and that prosecutors and lawyers in all corridors and benches would have her support.
“Your NDPP stands with you, together for justice and the nation. We have important work to do. We will hold accountable those who have corrupted and betrayed for their own private gain, especially those in higher positions of government, and with corporate power. The country has confidence in the NPA, and I will ensure the rule of law reigns supreme.”
Batohi, the evidence leader during the King Commission that investigated the Hansie Cronjé match-fixing in cricket, is tasked with bringing stability to the prosecuting body.
In October 2018, Ramaphosa invited a number of legal organisations and independent public institutions to help him identify and select individuals for consideration as possible candidates for the position of NDPP. The Constitutional Court had instructed Ramaphosa to appoint a new NDPP within 90 court days of August 13.
He then invited organisations and institutions to assist him, and they nominated senior legal practitioners to serve on the panel headed by Minister Jeff Radebe.
Others vying for the top job were: Simphiwe Mlotshwa, Andrea Johnson, Rodney de Kock and Siyabulela Mapoma.
The president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, attorney Ashwin Trikamjee, said he was delighted with the appointment. “Knowing her record as the former KZN Director of Public Prosecutions, she is by far the best candidate. This achievement is also another feather in the cap for gender equality.”
Retired Judge Thumba Pillay, who previously worked with Batohi, added:
● She attended Burnwood Secondary School in Clare Estate.
● Studied at the University of Durban-Westville, where she completed her post-graduate degree.
● She completed her LLB at the University of Natal.
● She began her career in private practice and then worked as a prosecutor for 15 years. During this time, she was seconded to the investigation task unit which probed political crimes.
● In 1995 she was part of a high-level team
“She is an excellent choice and I am sure she will carry out the enormous task before her with the same dedication and competence.”
Lawson Naidoo, the executive secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, said: “While appointed by Nelson Mandela to investigate apartheid-era hit squad activities.
● She served as a legal adviser to the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court since 2009.
● Batohi led the prosecution of Proteas cricket captain Hansie Cronje at the King Commission.
● She is the former director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal.
● Batohi has two children, Nikhil and Shaunik.
● She married Dr Raj Somaru, a dentist, who is now deceased.
much attention will focus on how she deals with prosecutions relating to state capture and grand corruption in the forthcoming months, the importance of ensuring that the interests of the ordinary victims of crime are considered will be equally important.”