The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act No. 108 of 1996), created a single National Prosecution Authority (NPA), which is governed by the National Prosecuting Authority Act (Act No. 32 of 1998). The Constitution, read with this Act, provides the NPA with the power to institute criminal proceedings on behalf of the State, to carry out any necessary functions incidental to institution of criminal proceedings and to discontinue criminal proceedings. The NPA is accountable to Parliament, while the final responsibility over the prosecuting authority lies with the Minister of Justice.
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Structure
On a national level, the NPA is headed by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). The NDPP is appointed by the President of South Africa for a term of 10 years.
The NDPP is supported by a chief executive officer, a position which was filled by Marion Sparg from 2000 to 2007, and by four Deputy National Directors. Every seat of the High Court of South Africa is served by a Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who acts as the prosecution authority for such Court's jurisdictional area. Further support comes from Special Directors and Investigating Directors.
Business units
The NPA comprises various core business units:
Leadership
Controversial extraordinary changes in NPA leadership have been attributed to political interference. In June 2014 former NPA prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach, a Member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Shadow Minister of Justice, called for an end to ongoing political interference that has compromised the integrity of the NPA.
The first NDPP, Bulelani Ngcuka, was appointed in 1998 and resigned in 2004. He was succeeded by Vusi Pikoli (2005–2007), Mokotedi Mpshe (acting NDPP), Menzi Simelane (2009–2012), Nomgcobo Jiba (acting NDPP), and Mxolisi Nxasana appointed with effect from 1 October 2013. On 5 July 2014, President Zuma announced an inquiry to determine whether Nxasana is fit and proper to hold office in terms of section 12(6)(a)(iv) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998. On 11 May 2015, the inquiry was terminated, but unconfirmed reports suggested that Nxasana has agreed to resign his post. On 31 May 2015 it was announced that Nxasana was stepping down as the National Director of Public Prosecutions. He was paid out the value of the remainder of his 10-year-contract amounting to R17 million. On 16 June 2015, Shaun Abrahams was appointed as the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Suspension of Vusi Pikoli
On 23 September 2007 President Thabo Mbeki suspended the then NDPP Vusi Pikoli. Following Pikoli’s suspension, President Mbeki established a Commission of Enquiry headed by Dr Frene Ginwala (Ginwala Commission) in terms of section 12(6) of the National Prosecuting Act 32 of 1998 to determine the fitness of Pikoli to hold office of National Director. In the Report of the Enquiry into the Fitness of Advocate VP Pikoli to Hold the Office of the NDPP, the Ginwala Commission made a number of recommendations including that “Pikoli should be restored to his position and be sensitized to the broader responsibilities of his office and in particular to enhance his understanding of the security environment in which that office should function”. One scholar has observed that despite the Ginwala Commission’s recommendations, Advocate Pikoli was removed from office by President Kgalema Montlante on 8 December 2008. Mhango, who has written on the subject, notes that Montlante was later prevented by the judiciary in Pikoli v President and Others to appoint a permanent NDPP until the legalities regarding the removal of Pikoli had been sorted in the courts.
On 27 September 2007 the South African Broadcasting Corporation claimed that a warrant was issued on 10 September by the NPA for the arrest of the head of the South African Police and Interpol, Jackie Selebi. According to SABC the warrant was secured by Pikoli, before Pikoli was suspended by the country's President Mbeki. President Mbeki suspended NPA Head Vusi Pikoli, allegedly because of "an irretrievable breakdown" in the relationship between Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla. However, journalists at the Mail and Guardian claim to have solid information supporting the widespread suspicion that President Mbeki suspended Pikoli as part of a bid to shield Police Commissioner Selebi.
DA leader Helen Zille said that the suspension of Pikoli was a "serious development" that needed further explanation: "The country needs to know why Pikoli has been suspended." Human Sciences Research Council political commentator Adam Habib said: