April / May 2014 Khasho ENSURING PROSECUTIONS WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOUR OR PREJUDICE First Muti From Khumalo’s Ukuthwala murderer protector to killer case in WC sentenced predator sentenced Contents Letter from the Letter from the 2 Ms Bulelwa Makeke Managing Editor Managing Editor Chief Director: Communications Letter from the NDPP 3 Letter from the CEO 4 Stepdaughter subjected The use of social media tools in about their expectations and experiences 5 to eight months of hell governments around the world has on the programme. We look forward to been gaining acceptance as part of the From protector to meeting all the Aspirants and judging from 6 information dissemination and public predator the visits we’ve already done, this is one education arsenal and the South African of the most exciting projects that we’ve Ficksburg muti government has not been left behind murderer sentenced to 7 undertaken and it is such a wonderful in this development. This provides an Life Imprisonment experience meeting each and every one opportunity for two-way communication of the Aspirants. Harshest sentence in between government and citizens, The Oscar Pistorius trial is certainly putting South Africa in the first partners and stakeholders thereby 8 the prosecution profession in focus, and Ukuthwala case in the increasing the frequency and speed of Western Cape as we say, prosecutions is now the new engagement. We are thrilled to see the sexy. The NPA communication mailbox Vryheid man sentenced NPA Facebook page growing in leaps and 9 has been inundated with messages of to 125 years for rape bounds. We have started to experience support and from the public from across Supermarket killers large volumes of people interacting with the globe since the trial started. We sentenced to life 10 us on the page. We urge you to join our have also received hundreds of enquiries imprisonment page, if you haven’t yet (The National from interested students and aspiring She still had a life ahead Prosecuting Authority of South Africa) 11 prosecutors who express their interest of her as a teenager The NPA participated in the Royal Show in in joining the profession. This exposure Meet Michael Pietermaritzburg and like in previous years, is very pleasing in that it has brought Mabunda Director of our exhibition stand was awarded a gold to sharp focus the calibre and quality of Administration in the 13 medal. Winning a medal means we have the prosecutors we have, and it can sure DPP North Gauteng achieved over 80% for service excellence serve as motivation for younger, up and office and overall look of our exhibition stand. coming prosecutors as to the expected NPA Interns 2013/14 14 Well done to all who made it possible, levels of skill and finesse that will keep particularly the KZN staff and aspirants for Know your library 15 the NPA ahead of its game. making the NPA brand stand out at the Right next to the hall where Oscar Pistorius Operation clean audit 17 Royal Show. trial is taking place in the Pretoria High Reverend Banzana’s nd On the 2 of May the NPA welcomed a Court there was equally another intriguing corrupt gifts forfeited to 18 new group of Aspirant Prosecutors into the state case where a young lady also died in the its fold. We have embarked on a journey hands of her boyfriend and her name is Stepmom killer jailed to document the Aspirant Prosecutor 20 Zanele Khumalo. This edition of Khasho for life Programme in the form of a DVD, which brings you the details of the events that we will use to market the programme, led to the gruesome murder of this young especially when we visit universities lady and how justice was delivered to the for recruitment drives. As part of this alleged murderer. programme, we have started visiting We hope you enjoy going through the the current aspirants and those who variety of articles in this edition. Till next have recently completed the programme time. across the country, to capture their views 2 ENSURING PROSECUTIONS WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOUR OR PREJUDICE Letter from the NDPP Mr Mxolisi Nxasana NDPP NPA News April/May 2014 April/May News NPA The rate of attrition among prosecutors so that we are aware of our limitations and saddens me as it constitutes a great loss to the boundaries. organisation. The tragic and gruesome loss of There are officials who provide the media with Mr Louis Heunis, who was a prosecutor in the false information and unfounded allegations Northern Cape DPP office left us all in shock. Our about other NPA members. This unsavoury sincere condolences go to all those families that practice must stop immediately. If anyone, for have lost their loved ones recently. Our thoughts any reason, is aggrieved with their employment and prayers also go to the family, friends and agreement, due process should be followed. colleagues of Mr Danny Kubai, a prosecutor based at the Protea Magistrates Court who was I congratulate all prosecutors for the manner in ferociously assaulted, robbed of his property and which they have handled NPA high profile cases. left for dead. It makes us proud and restores the confidence in this organisation. The NPA prides itself with The political tolerance that was displayed during a wealth of expertise and my wish is that every election campaigns is noteworthy. All South prosecutor should be afforded the opportunity to Africans must be applauded for the manner in display their skills, knowledge and expertise. which they conducted themselves. The NPA, through its participation in the joint security The performance by the Lower and High courts forces, called the NatJoints, played a pivotal role has been impressive, but the need to do better in ensuring that the elections went off smoothly. still exists. My special thanks to Corporate Coordinators and prosecutors were on standby Services, for providing the support to prosecutors to assist in any eventuality that may have arisen. that enables them to execute their duties in the manner in which they do. The scourge of violence and crimes against women and children cannot go on unabated. We have not achieved all annual targets that were It must be completely rooted out from our outlined in the Annual Performance Plan but communities. We reaffirm our commitment to concerted efforts were made by all prosecutors bring to book, all perpetrators of violence against to ensure an improved performance, despite the these vulnerable groups. Communities have a challenges experienced by the courts. significant role to play and are urged to report The time has arrived once again, where we are these crimes so that they may be dealt with required as the organisation, to submit our annual speedily and obliterated from society. performance to the Auditor General. I thank all Crimes committed during service delivery officials who have worked hard to produce a protests are on the increase. While we report which will hopefully be unqualified. acknowledge the rights of members of the public Let me welcome our new Minister, Michael to demonstrate within certain boundaries, every Masutha and also promise that we will all give him effort will be made to bring the crimes under the our support. I also thank Minister Jeff Radebe, guise of service delivery to book. SC and his Director General, Ms Nonkululeko I reiterate my call to the officials to familiarise Sindane for fostering good work relations with themselves with the NPA policies and directives us in the NPA during his tenure. 3 ENSURING PROSECUTIONS WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOUR OR PREJUDICE Letter from the CEO Ms Karen van Rensburg CEO NPA News April/May 2014 April/May News NPA I acknowledge the leadership of the The daunting task of completing Deputy CEO, Ambassador Sisulu, the Annual Report, including Annual who was left at the helm of Corporate Financial Statements is upon us once Services (CS) during my three weeks again. We rely on you to get this work of absence in April. My sincere done and I thank those that provided appreciation to all who supported us with required information on time. I her in ensuring that service delivery thank the team that continues to work to the prosecutors continued, in an tirelessly to ensure that we put together uninterrupted manner. a cutting edge document that mirrors the organisation’s state of affairs and The 2013/14 financial year ended on financial statements of the previous a high note as far as expenditure is fiscal year. concerned. We were able to once again spend 100 percent of the budget. This The auditing period is continuing in was achieved through the commitment earnest and this is a busy time when and efforts of all staff. I pride myself much is asked of people. I urge you to on a good team that supports me - a exercise patience whilst you deal with winning team of highly professional the auditors and provide the assistance individuals driven by their commitment that is required of you. I reiterate my to the organisation. previous position on the attainment of a clean audit. As we discharge our During the new financial year, the daily duties, we must be prudent in our formula and the approach will remain actions and remember that governance unchanged. We are committed to is at the centre of a clean audit. continue with our quest to keep our prosecutors satisfied and endeavor to I call upon all staff to be familiar with improve on the quality of service that the Public Service Regulations and we discharge. abide by it. In particular, refer to office hours which is not being complied The 2014/15 Annual Performance Plans with by everyone.