The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the North West says it will intensify its capacity to secure successful convictions in the provincial courts.
This emerged during a media briefing by the authority in Mahikeng today, on its strategy and performance in dealing with priority crimes in the province.
According to the NPA, about 87% of cases were successfully prosecuted at the high courts in the province.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the province, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo, emphasised the need for collaboration with law enforcement authorities.
“In turning the tide, we realised that collaboration between the NPA and various branches of the Police are of utmost importance. The residents of the North West deserve for people who serve them, (to) work well together, with a common goal of service excellence and a goal-orientated desire to solve and prosecute crime. Prosecutors and Investigators must, on a continuous basis, equip themselves to be fit for purpose, hence the birth of the “Back-to-Basics” training project.
“On the 19th of August 2022, the NPA in the North West, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and DPCI (HAWKS), held a conference where we pledged our support to one another and voiced our communal goal, namely service excellence.
“The Conference was attended by approximately 500 delegates. We realised that to become a well-oiled crime-busting machine, the NPA and the Police must work together in harmony, have absolute trust in one another and respect each other. Also try to rid ourselves of corrupt elements, who may sabotage the administration of justice.
“The project has different objectives which are:
- a renewed commitment to work together to solve and prosecute crime;
- a renewed commitment to service excellence; and
- Commitment to developing the skill and expertise of both prosecutors and investigators by joint training sessions on important subjects they are encountering,” Makhari Sekhaolelo said.
She said to achieve their goals in successful prosecutions, they resolved that teams from NPA, SAPS and DPCI must undergo training and to enhance efficiency.
“The idea is to learn more about the environment in which both organisations are operating in, and it also touches on various concepts of crime to impart knowledge to attendees of these training sessions.
“These sessions are being held at different locations across the Province and it is encouraging to see that many delegates from the NPA, SAPS, and DPCI are positively participating. We have already conducted training in Mmabatho, Vryburg, Potchefstroom, and Klerksdorp.
We believe that this initiative will build capacity and good relationships within the Criminal Justice System and the result will lead to service excellence to benefit the people of the North West,” she said.
