Batohi blames police infighting for delays in Senzo Meyiwa murder trial
Police Teams 'At Loggerheads' Over Senzo Meyiwa Case, Says National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Delays in the prosecution of the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder case have been firmly attributed to internal police conflicts, according to National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) advocate Shamila Batohi.
Batohi was speaking on Tuesday during the Parliament Ad Hoc committee established in October amid rising concerns about the “capture” and infiltration of the criminal justice system by criminals allegedly collaborating with prosecutors, police officers, and other officials.
She emphasised that competing investigative teams within the police force significantly hampered progress towards justice.
Batohi’s comments came during a response to criticism from David Skosana, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee, who blamed her office for the case’s prolonged delays.
The Meyiwa case, centered on the 2014 killing of the beloved South African national football team captain, has experienced repeated setbacks and remains unresolved.
In response, Batohi explained that she had taken decisive action to address the dysfunction surrounding the investigation.
“I will not accept the blame for the absolute disaster in the prosecution of the Meyiwa case,” Batohi said.
“Two police teams were investigating this matter - one reporting to the Minister, the other to the National Commissioner - and these teams were at loggerheads. If I recall correctly, they may have even opened dockets against each other. It was a total mess.”
She continued, “The teams requested specific prosecutors from the Johannesburg office, but there were allegations against certain prosecutors.”
“In an effort to salvage the case, I discussed the matter with the Directors of Public Prosecutions in Pretoria and Gauteng.
“We decided to take the case out of Johannesburg, transfer jurisdiction to Pretoria, and appoint a prosecutor there to review all the dockets and evidence to determine how to proceed and unravel this total mess.”
She argued that the NPA did this to ensure justice for the victims.
The trial at the Pretoria High Court has been beset by ongoing challenges, including changes in judges and lawyers, as well as health issues, resulting in lengthy delays and imposing significant costs on taxpayers.
Meanwhile, Meyiwa’s family remains in legal limbo, seeking closure.
Legal Aid South Africa, which funds the defense for some of the accused, has expressed concerns about the slow pace of the trial, urging that progress accelerate to ensure justice.
Batohi, whose term as NDPP will conclude at the end of January 2026, also addressed broader issues affecting South Africa’s criminal justice system.
She denied experiencing any political interference since assuming office in 2019 and spoke candidly about challenges, including organised crime and the widespread lack of trust in the system.
Her remarks highlight the complexities inherent in prosecuting high-profile cases in a justice system struggling with internal divisions and external pressures.
The committee’s ongoing inquiry remains a critical effort to restore public confidence in South Africa’s justice system, addressing allegations that threaten the integrity of law enforcement.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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