NPA boss Batohi defends charges against Joburg head prosecutor Chauke

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Advocate Shamila Batohi, has defended the charges she's levelled against Johannesburg head prosecutor, Andrew Chauke, saying an inquiry into his fitness to hold office is in his best interest.

Batohi is the main complainant in the ongoing inquiry probing Chauke's suitability for his post.

Chauke is accused of making questionable and politically motivated prosecutorial decisions.

Before beginning her testimony on Wednesday, Batohi gave a preamble to her complaint. She dismissed submissions by Chauke's lawyers that the case has no legal basis and seeks to punish him for applying prosecutorial discretion.

"This cannot be further from the truth in this matter. This is about prosecutions that the testimony will reveal were (it appears) politically motivated."