Batohi insists NPA didn't handle Mapisa-Nqakula's case with kid gloves
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula was recently charged with corruption related to allegations that she took R2.5 million in bribes from a defence contractor during her time in the ministry.
Former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on corruption charges on 4 April 2024. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi has hit back at criticism levelled against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) over its handling of the case against former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
Batohi hosted a round table with the media on Wednesday, where she touched on the case.
Mapisa-Nqakula was recently charged with corruption related to allegations that she took R2.5 million in bribes from a defence contractor during her time in the ministry.
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The NPA faced criticism after it emerged that authorities liaised with her legal team ahead of her first appearance in the dock about securing her attendance.
However, Batohi insists Mapisa-Nqakula did not receive special treatment.
“I’ve been a prosecutor for almost 30 years and many of the colleagues here are the same. In many of these cases involving white collar criminals you often make as a prosecutor - we make arrangements with the lawyers acting for the suspect to bring the suspect to court, so this isn’t unusual and we’ll continue to do this.”