The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have launched a blistering attack on President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing him of suppressing an investigation into alleged state capture at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and enabling criminal networks to operate with impunity.
The allegations stem from claims made last year by NPA head Advocate Shamila Batohi, who warned that the institution had been “infiltrated by sinister forces.” The EFF was the only party to formally demand action, writing directly to Ramaphosa to call for an independent inquiry.
However, instead of investigating, the president summoned Batohi and pressured her to retract her statement—dismissing it as a mere “misuse of language.”
Speaking at the EFF’s Central Command Team (CCT) meeting on Saturday, party leader Julius Malema condemned Ramaphosa’s response as a deliberate cover-up.
“When Batohi exposed the capture of the NPA, we acted. But the president did the opposite—he protected the criminals she warned about,” Malema told delegates. “By silencing her, he gave drug cartels and syndicates not just a free pass, but presidential approval.”
Malema argued that Ramaphosa’s intervention prevented accountability, allowing compromised officials to remain in power. “This isn’t just negligence—it’s complicity,” he said. “The NPA is being weaponized to shield the powerful while ordinary South Africans suffer.”
The EFF leader’s remarks have reignited debate over the independence of South Africa’s justice system. While some question Batohi’s reversal, others see her initial warning as evidence of systemic rot—a claim the EFF insists demands urgent scrutiny.
The party has positioned itself as the sole political force willing to confront alleged corruption within state institutions. Malema vowed to escalate pressure for a full probe, warning that “state capture never ended—it just changed hands.”
As public distrust in key institutions grows, the EFF’s allegations threaten to deepen the crisis of confidence in Ramaphosa’s administration. With the 2026 elections looming, the fallout could reshape political battles over accountability and reform.