Ekurhuleni hijacking: ActionSA writes to Adv Batohi about having investigating officer removed 

30 January 2023

ActionSA has written to the National Director of Public Prosecutions of South Africa, advocate Shamila Batohi, to alert her that we have asked that investigating officer (IO) in Tony Kadzadi’s building hijacking matter in Ekurhuleni be removed.

Kadzadi, an illegal immigrant from Nigeria, was arrested roughly two weeks ago when ActionSA received a complaint from community member, Patricia Khoza, that Kadzadi had hijacked a building in Primrose, Ekurhuleni, and was extorting occupants.

Despite not having any home affairs documents to reside in South Africa, and facing three charges including theft of property and sexual assault, he was released on bail last week.

There has since been animosity between the IO investigating all three charges and Ms Khoza where he accused her of being dishonest and spoke to her with the utmost disrespect, which is why we are concerned there might be bias in investigating the matter.

The IO furthermore indicated to one of our attorneys that he would write an affidavit stating that Ms Khoza was interfering with his investigations, which is blatant falsity and creates the risk that the complaints will be disregarded or dismissed.

ActionSA is aware that removing an investigating officer lies in the domain of the South African Police Service (SAPS), but we alerted advocate Batohi in order for the necessary precautions and steps to be taken to avoid the investigation being compromised.

We furthermore requested that advocate Batohi establish in which way Kadzadi was able to obtain bail, notwithstanding his illegal status in South Africa.

It is of concern to all law-abiding South African citizens that this individual was able to enter our country, continues to do so illegally and to the knowledge of public officials, and further commits crimes against South African citizens at whim.

ActionSA is also concerned about the silence of the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi  on this matter of this illegal immigrant and his criminal activities. He has not had a simple courtesy to respond to our letters.

Rule of law is one of ActionSA’s core values, and we will continue to ensure that justice prevails in this matter.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, ActionSA President, 30 January 2023