Npa Top Leadership Structure Is Almost Complete As President Ramaphosa Appoints New Directors Of Public Prosecutions
Appointing the remaining Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) has been a major priority for the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Shamila Batohi, since she took office. This is a crucial tier of the NPA’s top leadership structure that is needed to drive the strategy implementation and core performance of the NPA.
Five out of the eleven DPP positions were occupied by acting appointments, of which three have now been appointed permanently. While these colleagues provided important leadership in their respective divisions, the lack of certainty impacted negatively on the strategic direction of the divisions. The outstanding two DPP appointments are expected soon.
The work of the DPPs is critical as prosecution decisions and management is driven at the regional level under the leadership of the DPPs within their respective jurisdictions. The permanent appointment of these positions will significantly bolster the existing leadership structure of the NPA under the leadership of the NDPP and her Deputy National Directors of Public Prosecutions.
In addition to these provincial DPPs, the NPA also welcomes the appointment of two new Special Directors of Public Prosecutions who will provide strategic and implementation support at the Head Office in relation to key areas of governance, capacity development and mentorship.
The appointments announced by the President are as follows:
Directors of Public Prosecutions
1. Adv. Navilla Somaru: Free State Division of the High Court, Bloemfontein.
2. Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo: North West Division of the High Court, Mahikeng (Mmabatho).
3. Adv. Nicolette Bell: Western Cape Division of the High Court, Cape Town;
Special Directors of Public Prosecutions
1. Adv. Trish Matzke: General Prosecution and Tax; National Prosecutions Service (NPS), Head Office
2. Adv. Karen van Rensburg: Strategy, Operations and Compliance (SOC), Head Office.
In the week where we celebrate International Women’s Day, the NPA is proud to have appointed five female colleagues into the senior management ranks of the NPA. This aligns with our commitment to transform the legal profession in South Africa.
We have confidence that their appointments will contribute to the NPA’s efforts of asserting the rule of law and the efforts of holding accountable those most responsible for corruption and crime in general.
(Full profiles of all new appointees attached)
Enquiries
Mthunzi Mhaga
NPA Spokesperson
083 641 8141