By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Chauke pending an inquiry into his fitness to hold office.
This comes two years after National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Shamila Batohi asked Ramaphosa to suspend Chauke.
Batohi’s recommendation of suspension was “unreasonable, irrational and inconsistent with the spirit and purport of section 12 (6) of the National Prosecutions Act”, Chauke said at that time.
There has been concerns over his conduct in key cases, marking a key step in efforts to restore trust in the NPA.
Chauke was involved in the botched high-profile “two dockets” Senzo Meyiwa murder investigation as Director of Public Prosecutions.
He placed the blame for the decision to prosecute seven people in the “second docket” on an opinion that had been given by a junior State advocate.
In 2022, Open Secrets published a comprehensive investigation of the life and times of Chauke which set out, in detail, where he fits into the greater puzzle of the State Capture years.
As Director of Public Prosecutions, he was responsible for making decisions on prosecutions headed for the Johannesburg High Court, including State Capture matters.
In a statement, presidency said, “President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of section 14(3) read with 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Andrew Chauke, with immediate effect pending an inquiry into Adv Chauke’s fitness to hold office.”
“Ramaphosa has informed Adv Chauke of his decision in writing and indicated that the President and the public would benefit from an independent assessment of issues that require elucidation and on which there are disputes of fact.
“The President believes Adv Chauke’s continued tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions – while facing serious accusations – would negatively affect the reputation of the National Prosecuting Authority as a whole, read the statement.”
Chauke has served as the Director of Public Prosecutions for South Gauteng since around 2011, overseeing major cases in the Johannesburg High Court area.