Suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), advocate Andrew Chauke, will face an inquiry into his fitness to hold office, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement on Monday.
Magwenya said President Cyril Ramaphosa established the inquiry in terms of Section 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act of 1998.
Chauke was suspended with full pay in July 2025.
Allegations of abuse of power
Daily Maverick reported that Chauke faced several allegations, including stalling prosecutions of corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), and interfering with prosecution of former Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa’s R1.2 billion corruption case, which was delayed for 10 years.
The paper also reported that NPA court documents had flagged his involvement in a case of torture against a former senior Hawks official in North West, Major-General Jan Mabula.
A fair and impartial inquiry
Chauke, who was appointed director of public prosecutions in 2011, will now be subjected to the inquiry chaired by retired justice Baaitse “Bess” Nkabinde.
Nkabinde will be joined by advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and attorney Thenjiwe Vilakazi.
“In terms of the Constitution, the National Prosecuting Authority Act and the rules of natural justice, an inquiry as regards the allegations made against any Director of Public Prosecutions, should be conducted fairly and impartially,” said Magwenya.
When announcing Chauke’s suspension in July, Ramaphosa said allowing him to remain in office while facing the allegations would “negatively affect the reputation of the National Prosecuting Authority as a whole”.
The president added that Chauke would not be able to carry out his duties during the inquiry.
