By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The newly appointed head of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Adv. Andy Mothibi outlined his priorities in tackling organised crime, corruption, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), violent crime, cybercrime, and strengthening asset recovery.
Mothibi hosted his first formal media briefing in his capacity as head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
He said the NPA will focus on combating organised crime and corruption, prosecuting gender-based violence and femicide, addressing violent crime and cybercrime, and strengthening asset recovery.
“Our vision remains justice in our society so that people can live in freedom and security. Guided by the Constitution, we ensure justice for victims of crime without fear, favour, or prejudice,” he said.
Mothibi highlighted key steps to strengthen the NPA’s operations, including securing operational and financial independence through dedicated accounting oversight.
Mothibi explained that using racketeering provisions under POCA (the Prevention of Organised Crime Act), the NPA focuses on kingpins, syndicates, money laundering networks, and enablers (accountants, lawyers, intermediaries).
In addition, the NPA and SAPS developed a Stabilisation Plan, which is a multi-dimensional interdepartmental organised crime approach to address the gang violence in the Western Cape.
“This Plan has been extremely well received and is now being rolled out in other provinces, “he said.
An organised Crime Component (OCC)’s Firearm Desk was also established. Firearms are central to organised crime in South Africa and are primary instruments in gang violence, cash-in-transit heists, and extortion networks.
Mothibi said a dedicated Firearms Desk would improve and strengthen coordination in addressing illegal firearms.
He said his office has also met with the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to align the NPA and SAPS strategies. Aligned strategy will, amongst others, enable collaboration between SAPS and NPA, identification of cases, prosecutor-guided investigations, asset recoveries, and the enrolment of cases and effective prosecution.
Mothibi provided a “situational analysis” of the NPA’s challenges and how it would meet the public’s expectations.
He described his vision as the “corporatisation” of the organisation that was being backed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
He explained that this would require organisational reforms and that he was working on refining leadership structures and filling vacancies, with many senior positions requiring presidential appointment.
“We would want the NPA to have operational and financial independence.”
“I have been in discussions with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development on this subject, and I am pleased to say that the ministry and department are fully supportive and have committed to drive the legislative reform process,” said Mothibi.
Mothibi said the NPA will also implement recommendations of the Madlanga commission of inquiry investigating allegations of criminal infiltration in the justice cluster.
He applauded the Asset Forfeiture Unit for achieving forfeiture orders amounting to R13bn and recovering R6.5bn since 2019, saying about four prosecutors from the unit have been allocated to work with a police task team investigating Madlanga-commission-related cases.
He expressed confidence in achieving this vision within two years. Mothibi has about two years before reaching age 65, the age at which the NPA head has to vacate office.