Suspended Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andrew Chauke has been cleared of all misconduct allegations levelled against him by former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi.
The findings follow the completion of the Nkabinde Panel of Inquiry, which was established to determine whether Chauke was fit and proper to continue holding office. Chauke was suspended in July 2025 pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The panel, chaired by former Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde, was appointed in September 2025 to investigate serious allegations relating to Chauke’s fitness and propriety to hold office.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the panel considered extensive oral and documentary evidence, expert opinions, witness statements and legal submissions before reaching its conclusions.
“The panel, chaired by Justice Bess Nkabinde, considered extensive oral evidence, documentary evidence, expert opinions, witness statements and legal submissions.
“The panel found that there was no credible evidence upon which it could conclude that Advocate Chauke had taken prosecutorial decisions as alleged in respect of the Cato Manor matter, or that he had acted unlawfully in the performance of his co-ordination functions,” Magwenya said.
He added that the panel also found Chauke’s decision to provisionally withdraw murder and related charges against former Crime Intelligence head General Richard Mdluli and to refer the matter to an inquest was not irrational.
“In view of these and other findings that exonerate Advocate Chauke, President Cyril Ramaphosa is satisfied that there is no basis upon which to conclude that Advocate Chauke is unfit to hold office as Director of Public Prosecutions.
“The President has thanked Advocate Chauke for his co-operation throughout the inquiry process and expressed his confidence that the finalisation of this matter will enable him to continue discharging his constitutional and statutory responsibilities with dedication and integrity in service of the National Prosecuting Authority and the nation,” Magwenya said.
President Ramaphosa also thanked Justice Nkabinde, Advocate Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and attorney Matshego Ramagaga for their work in conducting the inquiry.
