The National Prosecuting Authority will conduct lifestyle audits for its officials in a phased approach, beginning with senior leadership members, the organisation’s head announced this week.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi said the audits would start immediately with members of the Executive Committee and Management Committee, with other officials in high-risk work environments to follow.
The decision follows a call by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi for all entities under the Justice Portfolio and those in the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to implement lifestyle audits.
“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,” Mothibi said during a media briefing.
He said the audits would be implemented over and above the financial disclosures framework regulated by the Department of Public Service and Administration.
NPA officials are already subject to regular integrity checks through the organisation’s Ethics and Accountability Programme, which includes some form of lifestyle auditing.
“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,” Mothibi said.
Investigating allegations
The NDPP acknowledged allegations that some prosecutors are interfering in investigations and prosecutions of 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,” he said.
Mothibi said preliminary findings on some investigations had been shared with the public through the media, while more complex cases remained under investigation.
He committed to full transparency once matters have been concluded, saying appropriate consequence management measures would be implemented where findings reveal malfeasance or misconduct.
Civil litigation success
Mothibi said the NPA has maintained an 81,3% success rate in defending claims of malicious prosecution and unlawful detention through its Legal Affairs Division.
He highlighted that payments towards civil litigation have decreased from R9,7 million in the 2023/2024 financial year 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,” Mothibi said.
The Legal Affairs Division continues to monitor significant issues emerging from various Commissions of Inquiry and the Ad Hoc Committee, with management undertaking reflection sessions to consider necessary interventions.
