A modern, fit-for-purpose NPA
To act without fear, favour or prejudice, the prosecution service needs a legal framework that secures independence, strong leadership, sufficient funding, control over expenditure, capacity, specialist skills and professional status, and transparency and accountability. It must also protect prosecutors from interference and victimisation.
This requires a complete legislative overhaul.
A modern system must provide:
- a clear, consistent, transparent and legislated appointment process,
- uniform, secure fixed term of office for the senior leadership,
- stronger protections against unfair removals,
- and improved ethics and oversight structures
Independence must be guaranteed by law, not rely on goodwill.
Prosecutors cannot operate independently while their expenditure is controlled externally.
The law must:
- professionalise the status of prosecutors
- ensure the budget for ad hoc expenditure on specialist skills,
- strengthen accredited training pathways,
Without specialist capacity, serious cases will continue to collapse.
Reform requires:
- consistent reporting,
- improved case-flow data,
- transparent and relevant performance indicators,
- and clear triggers for corrective action.
Oversight must be meaningful and measurable.
An Ombud or similar body is needed to support:
- transparency and accountability for prosecution failures,
- and the ongoing review of stalled cases.
Better coordination, clearer mandates, and improved structures will strengthen the full journey from reporting to investigation to conviction.
Transparency is key; that is why prosecutors can fail to prosecute with impunity.
We need a National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that operates without fear, favour or prejudice.
The demand
South Africa needs a modern, fit-for-purpose NPA
This is the only way to end impunity and restore the rule of law.