---
title: "WATCH: ‘Tell no lies, claim no easy victories’ — Is the NPA in crisis?"
description: "The NPA is in crisis, say its critics, including former Investigating Directorate boss Hermione Cronje. An amaBhungane video investigation takes a frank look at the NPA’s failure to nail those most responsible for State Capture. This must-view special report includes a no-holds-barred interview with NDPP Shamila Batohi."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "AMABHUNGANE DOCUMENTARY"
author: "amaBhungane"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/amabhungane/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-09-watch-tell-no-lies-claim-no-easy-victories-is-the-npa-in-crisis/"
published: "2024-12-09T04:30:26"
updated: "2024-12-09T12:42:15"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 191
---

# WATCH: ‘Tell no lies, claim no easy victories’ — Is the NPA in crisis?

> The NPA is in crisis, say its critics, including former Investigating Directorate boss Hermione Cronje. An amaBhungane video investigation takes a frank look at the NPA’s failure to nail those most responsible for State Capture. This must-view special report includes a no-holds-barred interview with NDPP Shamila Batohi.

By amaBhungane · Published 9 December 2024, 06:30 SAST · Updated 9 December 2024, 14:42 SAST

## Key points
- As Advocate Shamila Batohi marks five years as NDPP, the clock is ticking louder for her to turn the tide on State Capture, with critics questioning if her leadership is the missing ingredient.
- Five years into her tenure, NDPP Shamila Batohi faces mounting pressure to prosecute State Capture masterminds.
- Critics highlight Batohi's struggles as indicative of a broader crisis within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
- Former deputy Hermione Cronje voices concerns over state accountability, echoing fears of a potential failed state.
- A deep dive into the NPA reveals urgent questions about leadership, skills and resources necessary for effective prosecution.

## Content

[Media](https://amab-analytics-img.sourcery.info/tell-no-lies-claim-no-easy-victories-amabhunganes-first-documentary-DM?iframe)

It has been five years since advocate Shamila Batohi was appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

South Africans want to see the masterminds of State Capture in orange overalls and the NDPP is central to achieving this, but Batohi is running out of time, as is the country.

Batohi says she’s “not hiding away as a national director from very critical and honest assessments of where we are in dealing with State Capture”.

Critics, however, say the NDPP’s State Capture failures represent a deeper crisis. Batohi’s former deputy, Hermione Cronje, could no longer stay silent on this matter.

Her concern is shared by amaBhungane, which believes that we have to fix state accountability systems if we are to get off the path towards a failed state.

With this in mind, we sat down with Cronje and others who watch and worry over the NPA; we sourced some candid footage from internal NPA meetings; and we confronted Batohi with some hard questions.

The NPA needs skills and resources, but does it also need new leadership? Join us as we take a deep dive into these urgent issues.

[Watch the documentary here](https://youtu.be/_2HakW03sLQ?si=uQa8gXk3zMMsyGSY)

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2HakW03sLQ)