Top Gauteng prosecutor suspended: Ramaphosa moves to fix NPA
The suspension comes after years of mounting calls for Chauke's removal. It will take effect immediately pending an inquiry into his fitness to hold office.
The decision is in terms of section 14(3) read with 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act.
In a statement, Ramaphosa said he informed Chauke of his decision and shared that the public would benefit from an independent assessment of the issues. He believes that if Chauke continues his duties while facing an inquiry, it would negatively affect the NPA's reputation.
The president also expressed concern that Chauke would not be able to fulfil his functions optimally while facing an inquiry.
ActionSA, which had previously called for Chauke's removal after the NPA withdrew charges against former Minister Zizi Kodwa, welcomed the move. The party labelled Chauke 'Joburg's king of public prosecutions,' criticising what it sees as a failure to pursue high-profile corruption cases.
ActionSA Parliamentary Leader Athol Trollip described the suspension as long overdue but cautioned that it was just one step toward broader reform.
Chauke, appointed by former President Jacob Zuma in 2011, has been a controversial figure. In 2023, National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi recommended his precautionary suspension following the withdrawal of charges against former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli. Chauke dismissed the recommendation, accusing Batohi of bowing to pressure from certain factions.
'It is quite clear that she acts to appease and satisfy particular groupings within society,' he said at the time.
His suspension comes just a month after Batohi faced criticism from several political parties for comments made before Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). During the session, she stated that the NPA had been infiltrated by bad elements. However, she later retracted her remark.
'I said that perhaps there are people within the NPA who are not aligned with the leadership's vision of upholding the rule of law,' Batohi clarified.
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