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WATCH: ‘Tell no lies, claim no easy victories’ — Is the NPA in crisis?

The NPA is in crisis, say its critics, including former Investigating Directorate boss Hermione Cronje. An amaBhungane video investigation takes a frank look at the NPA’s failure to nail those most responsible for State Capture. This must-view special report includes a no-holds-barred interview with NDPP Shamila Batohi.
WATCH: ‘Tell no lies, claim no easy victories’ — Is the NPA in crisis?



It has been five years since advocate Shamila Batohi was appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). 

South Africans want to see the masterminds of State Capture in orange overalls and the NDPP is central to achieving this, but Batohi is running out of time, as is the country. 

Batohi says she’s “not hiding away as a national director from very critical and honest assessments of where we are in dealing with State Capture”. 

Critics, however, say the NDPP’s State Capture failures represent a deeper crisis. Batohi’s former deputy, Hermione Cronje, could no longer stay silent on this matter.

Her concern is shared by amaBhungane, which believes that we have to fix state accountability systems if we are to get off the path towards a failed state.

With this in mind, we sat down with Cronje and others who watch and worry over the NPA; we sourced some candid footage from internal NPA meetings; and we confronted Batohi with some hard questions.

The NPA needs skills and resources, but does it also need new leadership? Join us as we take a deep dive into these urgent issues.

Watch the documentary here

https://youtu.be/_2HakW03sLQ?si=uQa8gXk3zMMsyGSY

Comments (8)

Jan Pierewit May 26, 2025, 12:41 PM

Good for AmaBhungane. The poor performance of the NPA is hugely distressing. All strength to those who work actively for real outcomes and convictions.

Neil T. Jan 23, 2025, 09:56 AM

What a great report. Well done! Sadly it appears that Batohi and the NPA are being used to appear to be doing "investigations" and making "prosecutions" of the politically-connected (especially in State Capture cases) while actually doing absolutely nothing, nada, nil!

fraser.heesom Dec 9, 2024, 08:35 PM

You can see by her demeanour when on tv etc that shes so out of her depth, its unreal. She appears scared of her own shadow,not a thuli madsonsela of the legal world. why not one prosecution of note?? what whatsoever has she done in the past five years warrants her staying in her job.

Cachunk Dec 9, 2024, 06:17 PM

Great reporting - thank you our brilliant journos! NPA, not so much.

Thomas Risi Dec 9, 2024, 05:35 PM

This article is all realy an attack on Batohi. There is no mention of the corruptions and inbeded disjointedness in the Mpa. The system was well designed to create disunity an chaos for many years to come. To change it will take courage. Do we have it. Yes we do but not if medias focus is wrong.

J5.crowther@gmail.com Dec 9, 2024, 05:28 PM

Great documentary. Encore! As for the problem with the NPA, easy solution: put Dr Schreiber in charge of the Office - he will digitise prosecutorial tasks, outsource prosecutions to China and deport all the bad guys back to places like Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Les Thorpe Dec 9, 2024, 01:01 PM

Sadly no matter what the NPA says, we'll read the same in five years, and again in ten years. By that time, most of the perps will still be sitting in parliament earning over a million rand a year plus perks. Others will be enjoying their loot or safely ensconced within the MK party.

Indeed Jhb Dec 9, 2024, 11:21 AM

Concerning. The lady is being stonewalled and not able to function properly despite her smooth talking. The 'lessons learned' - seems first year procecutors were used tank ametures! NPA needs independence including from the presidency. Current situation a farce with political medling. Depressing