The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will proceed with lifestyle audits for its officials in a phased-in approach.
This was announced by NPA National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi during a media briefing this week.
“The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has made a call for all the entities under the Justice Portfolio and those in the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to implement lifestyle audits, over and above the financial disclosures framework that is regulated by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).
“The NPA has been exploring the implementation thereof for some time and we have now made a firm decision to proceed with lifestyle audits, in a phase-in approach. We will commence with ExCo and ManCo members with immediate effect and other NPA officials, especially those in high-risk work environments, will then follow,” Mothibi announced.
He noted that officials have already been subject to regular integrity checks in terms of the NPA Ethics and Accountability Program which includes some form of lifestyle auditing.
“A lifestyle audit is a proactive integrity measure designed to strengthen trust and accountability. It ensures that declared income and financial interests align with observable standards in line with governance standards.
“As a key institution within the criminal justice system, the NPA has a duty to the public to ensure that its staff can be trusted to deliver justice to the people of South Africa,” the NDPP said.
Ethical prosecutions
Mothibi acknowledged allegations that some prosecutors are interfering in investigations and prosecutions of “certain cases in the commercial crimes environment in the Gauteng Local Division in Johannesburg”.
“We are taking these allegations very seriously. The NPA’s Office for Ethics and Accountability will thoroughly investigate these allegations; and we have already shared the preliminary findings on some of these investigations with the public through the media, and in the more complex cases, the investigations are still underway,” he revealed.
The prosecutions boss committed to full transparency with South Africans once the matters have been fully fleshed out.
“We commit to transparency on these complaints and we will keep the public informed as and when the investigations are finalised.
“Where the findings reveal any malfeasance or misconduct, appropriate consequence management measures will be put in place,” he said.
Civil litigation
Mothibi stated that the prosecutorial body has been the subject of civil litigation stemming from prosecutorial decisions.
“The NPA has through the Legal Affairs Division (LAD) consistently defended these civil litigation matters. This is demonstrated by the 81.3 % success rate in defending claims of malicious prosecution and unlawful detention against the NPA,” he said.
He highlighted that the amount of money paid towards civil litigations has reduced from some R9.7 million in the 2023/2024 financial year down to R5.5 million in 2024/2025.
“Efforts are being made to further reduce these payments during this year, with initiatives or measures meant to empower prosecutors to effectively prosecute and make prosecutorial decisions that are legally sound, with a view to minimise exposure to civil litigation.
“The NPA, through LAD continues to monitor significant issues coming out of the many Commissions of Inquiry and the Ad Hoc Committee, and reflection sessions are undertaken at a management level to consider any interventions to be made where necessary,” he added. – SAnews.gov.za
