NPA Investigating Directorate planning to re-enroll Koko's graft case

JOHANNESBURG - The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Shamila Batohi, says they’re considering their options following revelations around a possible conflict of interest involving the acting magistrate who struck former Eskom boss Matshela Koko’s graft case from the roll last year.

In November 2023, acting magistrate Stanley Jacobs sitting in the Middelburg Regional Court found the case had been unreasonably delayed, and struck it from the roll.

In March, however, News24 exposed how Jacobs had allegedly failed to disclose millions of rands worth of business dealings he had had with Eskom.

Batohi commented on the matter at a round table at the National Prosecuting Authority’s office in Pretoria on Wednesday.

"That was a huge case and it had a devastating impact on the reputation of the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority]. And we’re looking at possible steps to take with regard to the conduct of the magistrate as well as other legal steps."

The NPA's Investigating Directorate head Andrea Johnson, who was present for Wednesday's briefing, says they are planning on re-enrolling the matter.

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