By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Rodney De Kock, has died after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
De Kock was diagnosed with cancer in December., which ended a career of over 30 years, mostly spent in public prosecution work.
He succumbed to cancer at Morningside Mediclinic in Johannesburg on Monday night, surrounded by family and friends.
In a statement, his family said De Kock, who had just turned 64, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in early December and suffered a rapid decline in health.
De Kock was a founding member of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers established in 1987 under the leadership of Dullah Omar, who later became South Africa’s justice minister, and Pius Langa, who would go on to be appointed South Africa’s first black chief justice.
He became attorney general of the Western Cape in 1999 and joined the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as director of public prosecutions for the province in 2003. President Cyril Ramaphosa elevated him to deputy national director of public prosecutions in 2020.
Some of his career highlights include:
- Serving as a Presiding Officer in the Electoral Court in 1994.
- Serving as Head of the Legal Aid Board Clinic at the University of Cape Town from 1994 to 1999.
- He was also asked to act as the National Director of Public Prosecutions in 2019 by Ramaphosa.
“After a luminary career, marked by an uncompromising dedication to justice, the democratic order, and to his fellow citizens, his family and friends take great solace in knowing that Rodney served his country with unblemished integrity, dedication, honesty and humility,” his family said.
The NPA hailed De Kock for his passion for justice and the rule of law and highlighted how he led law-enforcement agencies on the Financial Action Task Force, focusing South Africa’s efforts to exit its greylisting by the intergovernmental organisation that sets standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
“This (death) is a huge loss for the NPA and the country. He was a solid lawyer, a gentleman and a true warrior for justice. He will be sorely missed,” the organisation’s head Shamila Batohi said.
“The De Kock family takes much comfort from the fact that their beloved father, brother and elder, passed peacefully after a short but courageous battle. They are grateful for the time they have shared with him. The family wishes to express its appreciation for the support from government, colleagues and friends at this difficult time,” the statement read.