Ahead of his meeting with National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he does not believe there is State capture in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Speaking to media in Atteridgeville, in Pretoria West, on Tuesday, ahead of his engagement with beneficiaries of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, Ramaphosa expressed confidence in NPA prosecutors.

Last week, Batohi revealed that the NPA had been infiltrated by individuals who she said were not committed to upholding the rule of the law.

She further admitted that the NPA had failed to successfully prosecute any major State capture cases involving politicians, pointing to the hindering effects from that era, when State institutions were hollowed out.

Ramaphosa asserted that there were some “really good prosecutors” in the NPA and those “who are putting a lot of effort”, while noting that a number of cases were being prosecuted, including those that came out of the Zondo Commission.

However, he acknowledged that Batohi was facing a number of challenges and said his meeting with her would allow her to “download and take out of her chest” some of the challenges she’s facing. He did not say when the meeting would take place. 

“. . . but the NPA has really done considerable work to stabilise itself, as well as going on with various prosecutions. Now, quite often we look at those where there is failure or where there are mistakes and we think that the whole system is not working. And she will be able to speak to that herself . . . when she talks to me,” Ramaphosa said.

Batohi will be required to vacate her office in January 2026, as she reaches the age of 65.