The Enquiry into Advocate Andrew Chauke, Director of Public Prosecutions: South Gauteng’s fitness to hold office has brought to the fore the significance of prosecutorial independence in our constitutional democracy.
Prosecutors must be allowed space to prosecute without fear, favour or prejudice. Mkhabela Huntley Attorneys Inc. welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision that Adv. Andrew Chauke remains fit and proper to continue serving in his role. This decision comes on the back of the finding of the panel led by retired Justice Bess Nkabinde which found that the allegations of misconduct levelled by former NPA head, Adv. Shamila Batohi, against Adv. Chauke could not be substantiated.
Mkhabela Huntley Attorneys Inc. led by Leslie Mkhabela and supported by Katleho Mohlokoane, together with our counsel team comprising Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, Tshidiso Ramogale, Michelle Kritzinger and Thembelihle Links had the privilege of representing Adv. Chauke at the enquiry. Over the course of the six-month period of the enquiry, our team acted with diligence, professionalism, and respect for the integrity of the process.
We are pleased that, after careful consideration of the evidence, the panel rejected Adv. Batohi’ s allegations and found that there was no direct or credible evidence to support the allegations that Adv. Chauke breached the law or failed to exercise his prosecutorial discretion properly or unlawfully.
Mkhabela Huntley Attorneys Inc. welcomes the just outcome of the enquiry. We remain committed to providing principled, strategic and high-quality legal representation in matters of significant public and constitutional importance such as this one.
Read the president’s statement here.
