By 
PRETORIA — Gauteng South Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andrew Chauke, has been fully exonerated by the Nkabinde Panel of Enquiry, paving the way for his return to duty after a year-long suspension. President Cyril Ramaphosa formally communicated the outcome to Chauke after the independent panel concluded there was no basis to declare him unfit to hold office.
The enquiry was established on September 29, 2025, under Section 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act of 1998, following serious allegations questioning Chauke’s fitness and propriety. To preserve the integrity of the proceedings, President Ramaphosa had placed Chauke on precautionary suspension in July 2025 pending the finalization of the investigation.
Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Baaitse Elizabeth Nkabinde—alongside Adv Elizabeth Baloyi-Mere SC and Attorney Matshego Ramagaga—the panel conducted a comprehensive review of extensive oral testimony, documentary evidence, witness statements, legal submissions, and expert opinions.
Key Findings of the Panel
Central to the enquiry were high-profile prosecutorial decisions that had long drawn public and legal scrutiny:
- The Cato Manor Prosecutions: The panel found no credible evidence that Chauke made prosecutorial decisions as alleged regarding the controversial Cato Manor matter, nor did he act unlawfully while executing his coordination functions.
- The Richard Mdluli Matter: The panel determined that Chauke’s decision to provisionally withdraw murder and related charges against former Crime Intelligence head, General Richard Mdluli, and subsequently refer the matter to a judicial inquest, was not irrational.
Presidential Response and Reinstatement
Satisfied with the findings exonerating the Director, President Ramaphosa affirmed that no grounds exist to deem Chauke unfit for office. In his communication, the President expressed gratitude to Chauke for his cooperation throughout the proceedings and voiced confidence that the resolution of the matter will allow him to resume his constitutional and statutory responsibilities with dedicated service.
President Ramaphosa also extended his appreciation to Justice Nkabinde and her panel members for their meticulous handling of the inquiry, marking a definitive conclusion to a prolonged period of uncertainty within the Gauteng South prosecution office.
