Is the NPA in Free State infiltrated or simply incompetent?

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The recent remarks by Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KZN’s Provincial Police Commissioner and Advocate Shamila Batohi, Director of Public Prosecutions should not and can not just be dismissed as if they are lame men who hold no authority in society.

Lt-General Mkhwanazi and Advocate Shamila Batohi could not have thump sucked what they said and to suggest their remarks put national security at risk is disingenuous.

Mkhwanazi said the judiciary and police are in bed with criminals while Batohi said the NPA is infiltrated although she tried to explain or give context but she knows exactly what she said.

Below is chronological events while we connect the dots to what Lt-General Mkhwanazi and Advocate Batohi said.

SESING JUDGMENT
On the 27 May 2025, the Free State high court handed judgment in the matter better Masechaba Sesing, former Head of Department at Health and Free State Premier and Public Service Commission, however, on the 22 May 2025, the office of Free State Premier already knew the contents of the judgment and that information was leaked to this publication. That was five days before the judgment was handed.

NPA ASKED FOR JUDGES OUTSIDE FREE STATE
In December 2024, the NPA in Free State asked the office of Judge President Mosi for magistrates outside Free State to handle cases with politically-linked individuals. What is it that NPA know about Free State judges?

HAWKS OFFICIAL MEETING MATHAE
On the 11 October 2024, a Hawks official met Free State Premier amid explosive revelations by Patrick “The Butcher” Phuti entangling Premier and her ex-husband, Lawrence Mathae. This happened on the same day the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) laid a criminal charge against Mathae. We asked Lt-General Lebeya about this meeting because the meeting was orchestrated in the echelons in Free State SAPS.

CHARGES AGAINST MALAKOANE WITHDRAWN
The NPA rejected presentations made by Advocate Humphrey Malakoane to have charges against him dropped in the Museum corruption case only to drop charges few months later. Priot to withdrawal, at least twice, representations were rejected once by a junior official and DPP Advocate Sobaru herself.

DECISION ON MATHAE AWAITED
As things stand, the DPCI have handed the docket to Advocate Navilla Sobaru in December 2024, to decide on whether to prosecute Mathae or not, it has been seven months and to think the delay is not politically motivated would be naive. It’s difficult to believe NPA is acting without fear or predujice because if it was Thabo from Thaba Nchu the NPA would have made that decision already followed by their favourite line “We have a strong case and we are ready for trial”.

We have requested an interview with Advocate Sobaru in March 2024, we are still waiting for a suitable date.

MATHAE TOUCHED WITH KIDS GLOVES
While the president Ramaphosa took hours to comment on allegations made against Minister, Senzo Mchunu, he is yet to comment on allegations against Premier, Joyce “Pretenders”Mathae, let alone put her on leave of absence.

As we wait for Advocate Sobaru to decide, this is what the spokesperson of NPA in Free State said in December.

ANCWL fingered in the R2 million graft transaction

“Please note that your inquiry is still to be studied and once the contents have been proved to be factual, you will then be provided with a formal response.”

In part two, we will zoom into how Mathabo Leeto, a senior ANC official and MEC for Social Development built a house in six months and Hawks don’t bother to trace the source of money and the appointment of Sinah January, SCM Chief Director and transfer of Advocate Mokgobo, deputy director SCM from Education to Health is playing out.

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