Ramaphosa suspends Chauke over fitness concerns, triggering inquiry into high-profile case decisions

Key topics:Chauke suspended pending inquiry into prosecutorial decision-making.Accused of shielding politically connected figures from prosecution.Move seen as step toward restoring NPA credibility.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here.The auditorium doors will open for BNIC#2 on 10 September 2025 in Hermanus. For more information and tickets, click here..By Kerry Lanaghan.President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Advocate Andrew Chauke, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for South Gauteng, citing serious concerns about his fitness to hold office. The suspension, announced on 21 July, will remain in place pending the outcome of an official inquiry into Chauke’s conduct and prosecutorial decisions.The Presidency said the decision was made under section 14(3), read with 12(6)(a), of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act. President Ramaphosa had earlier requested Chauke to provide reasons why he should not be suspended, but, after reviewing his response, concluded that an independent inquiry was necessary.According to The Citizen, presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya explained that the president and the public would benefit from a formal assessment of disputed issues requiring clarity. “President Ramaphosa 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,” Magwenya said.Further, the president expressed concern that Chauke might not be able to effectively carry out his duties while under investigation.The inquiry follows growing criticism of Chauke’s decisions in high-profile cases. According to reports, NPA head Shamila Batohi had raised concerns about Chauke’s reluctance to prosecute politically sensitive cases and had written to Ramaphosa after demanding explanations from Chauke.Among the matters that triggered the scrutiny was Chauke’s apparent hesitation to prosecute Duduzane Zuma, son of former president Jacob Zuma, for culpable homicide. This followed a 2014 crash in which Duduzane’s Porsche collided with a minibus taxi, resulting in the death of a Zimbabwean woman and injuries to three others. Although a magistrate found prima facie evidence of negligence, Chauke initially declined to prosecute. Duduzane Zuma was eventually tried in 2019 and acquitted.Chauke’s handling of another case involving former police crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli has also been questioned. Batohi reportedly queried Chauke’s decision not to pursue a murder charge against Mdluli in connection with the 1999 killing of Oupa Ramogibe, the former partner of Mdluli’s then-girlfriend. Mdluli was ultimately not prosecuted for the murder but was convicted on separate charges of assault and kidnapping.The suspension marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle to restore credibility to South Africa’s criminal justice system. With public confidence in the NPA already under pressure, Chauke’s removal - albeit temporary - signals a renewed commitment to accountability at the highest levels of prosecution.

Ramaphosa suspends Chauke over fitness concerns, triggering inquiry into high-profile case decisions

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