MK Party seeks order to freeze Batohi’s pension pending review

By Akani Nkuna

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has filed an urgent application with the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria seeking to stop payment of former national prosecutions head Shamila Batohi’s pension and other post-tenure benefits pending a court review of allegations it has raised against her.

In papers filed on Monday, the party says that public funds should not be paid out until questions linked to Batohi’s conduct — including issues arising from her evidence at the Nkabinde Inquiry into suspended South Gauteng director of public prosecutions Andrew Chauke’s fitness for office — have been tested in court.

Batohi’s five-year term as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) ended in January.  She was succeeded by Advocate Andy Mothibi.

The MK Party is seeking interim relief to block any payouts while it pursues review proceedings.

It has asked the court to set aside any decision approving or facilitating such payments