The appointment and dismissal of the NDPP: Instability since 1998

Abstract

The position of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has emerged since 1998 as one of the most unstable positions in government. This can to a large degree t be ascribed to how appointments and dismissals are made. Instability at the top of the NPA and several acting NDPPs gives credence to claims of political interference. Not one NDPP has served the full term of ten years. Since 1998, when the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) came into being, there have been five permanently appointed NDPP’s and three acting NDPPs. The longest serving NDPP was Bulelani Ngcuka who was in the position for 6 years, followed by Mokothedi Mpshe in an acting capacity at nearly three years and Vusi Pikoli for just more than two and half years.