Gauteng DPP Andrew Chauke Reinstated Amid No Misconduct Findings Johannesburg, South Africa — The South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Andrew Chauke, has been reinstated to his position following a thorough inquiry that cleared him of all misconduct allegations. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed Chauke’s reinstatement in a letter dated July 21, 2026, affirming that the Nkabinde Inquiry’s findings were sufficient to conclude that Chauke was fit to return to public office.
The Nkabinde Inquiry, which was established to investigate allegations of misconduct against Chauke, concluded that there was no credible evidence to substantiate the claims.
The inquiry, led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Bess Nkabinde, found that Chauke had not acted unlawfully in the Cato Manor prosecutions or improperly exercised his prosecutorial powers. Chauke had been suspended from his duties since July 20, 2025, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The allegations against him included improper prosecutorial decisions and the withdrawal of charges in certain cases, which were levelled by former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Shamila Batohi.
Despite Batohi’s attempts to provide testimony during the inquiry, she walked out of the proceedings in December 2025, amidst tensions over her communication with a potential witness. This withdrawal added to the complexity of the inquiry and raised questions about the thoroughness of the investigation.
The president’s decision to reinstate Chauke comes after a year-long suspension, and it is expected to be met with mixed reactions from both legal experts and the general public.
While some may see it as a vindication of Chauke’s integrity and professionalism, others may question the thoroughness of the inquiry and the credibility of the findings.
The inquiry also examined Chauke’s decision to provisionally withdraw murder and related charges against former crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli and instead refer the matter to an inquest.
The panel found that this decision was not irrational, suggesting that it was a reasonable prosecutorial decision.
In his letter to Chauke, Ramaphosa also mentioned that the panel had found evidence to support the institution of racketeering charges against former KwaZulu — Natal Hawks head Major General Johan Booysen and members of the Cato Manor Unit, one of the prosecutorial decisions examined during the inquiry.
As Chauke returns to his position, the focus will likely shift to the broader implications of the inquiry and the integrity of the NPA.
The outcome of the inquiry may also have implications for the relationship between the DPP and the NPA, as well as the role of the president in the process of investigating and resolving allegations against senior officials.
The reinstatement of Chauke underscores the complexities involved in the legal system and the challenges faced by those tasked with upholding the rule of law. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of due process and the need for thorough investigations before reaching conclusions about the conduct of public officials.
Sources: Daily Maverick, TimesLIVE, mg.
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*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
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