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10 October 2008

The Aspirant Prosecutor Programme today confirmed about 130 candidates as additional prosecutors into South Africa's crime-fighting arsenal to competently prosecute cases in our courts. They will be deployed at various National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) offices across the country.

Previously managed by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and funded by the Danish Government, the programme is now run by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). It has seen a steady increase of the numbers of those it has enrolled over the years where the class of 2001 had only 70 candidates. The figure rose to 100 in 2003. Candidates who made it onto the programme were selected on the basis of satisfying minimum entrance requirements in terms of the programme. Commencing on the first workday of February each year, the programmme runs for eight months within which period, candidates have to prove their worth as they go through functional training that is followed by technical evaluation. There are currently 15 training centres countrywide with at least one centre in each province. Five additional centres will be operational when the next group undergoes training in February 2009.

The NPA has committed itself to the strategic goals of increasing access to justice and improving service delivery by contributing towards dispensing justice without delay. Since its inception in 1997, the programme produced at least 1 000 prosecutors. This is but one of the many interventions by the NPA aimed at addressing the challenge of growth and capacity-building within the organisation.

The NPA is confident that the new prosecutors will carry out the duties with due diligence, subject to the laws of this country and the Constitution. The NPA trusts that they will add value and collaborate with all partners in the criminal justice system and the communities and contribute towards preventing and solving crime in all its manifestations. We trust they will prosecute without fear, favour or prejudice pursuant to ensuring that there is justice in our society so that people can live in freedom and security.

Enquiries:
Tlali Tlali
Tel: 012 845 6443
Fax: 012 843 4565
Cell: 082 333 3880

Issued by: National Prosecuting Authority
10 October 2008