Justice minister says NPA is building capacity

JUSTICE and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says there are lessons to be learnt from the failed prosecution of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso and Moroadi Cholota, the former personal assistant of former Free State premier Ace Magashule.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces, Kubayi said more work can be done to support prosecutors.

“A lot of work is being done and over time, where there is a shortage of capacity, for example, we are able to source even external capacity to come and support the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority).”

The NPA has been facing sharp criticism after court losses, including in the Cholota and Omotoso cases. Kubayi said the NPA was working to build capacity and 268 vacant posts were at various recruitment stages at the end of May 2025.

She said the NPA's staff complement has expanded by 34% since 2019 and it has a substantially reduced vacancy rate.

“In the current format, human capacity, the head count is 5 513 permanent employees, an additional 327 appointed on fixed-term contracts, and 3 562 prosecutors who are permanently employed, and 289 prosecutors who are appointed on contract.