Witnesses 'reluctant' to testify against Joburg prosecutions boss Andrew Chauke

The Nkabinde Inquiry heard that some witnesses meant to testify against Johannesburg prosecutions boss Andrew Chauke have become reluctant.

The inquiry, which is investigating Chauke’s fitness to hold office, resumed on Monday but made no progress.

This was because the main complainant, outgoing National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Advocate Shamila Batohi, refused to testify before she receives legal advice.

Batohi has accused Chauke of making politically motivated prosecutorial decisions.

While the Nkabinde Inquiry is lagging behind schedule and will have to approach President Cyril Ramaphosa for an extension, the case against Chauke seems to be collapsing.

The inquiry heard on Monday that Batohi, refused to resume her testimony after she abandoned it in December, saying that she needed legal advice.

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Now, the inquiry has heard that evidence leaders have been experiencing poor co-operation from witnesses who were meant to testify against Chauke, particularly on the matter involving former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Johan Booysen and the Cato Manor unit.

On Monday, evidence leaders asked for a week to address their challenges regarding the witnesses and Batohi’s legal representation, but the panel only gave them until Thursday.