NDPP interviews: How the six candidates fared in the hot seat

The six candidates interviewed for the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions this week are: top, from left, Andrea Johnson, Nicolette Bell and Adrian Mopp. Bottom from left: Menzi Simelane, Hermione Cronje and Xolisile Khanyile. Image:Timothy Bernard and Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers Each of the six candidates shortlisted for the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) were questioned this week about how they would lead the National Prosecuting Authority and tackle the myriad challenges facing the prosecuting body.

The Advisory Panel for the selection of the NDPP is being chaired by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi. The following candidates were interviewed in two-hours slots on December 10 and 11: First up in the hot seat was Advocate Bell, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Western Cape . She was questioned about thepoor performance of the Western Cape NPA in securing, especially, gender-based violence and murder convictions.

poor performance of the Western Cape NPA in securing, especially, gender-based violence and murder convictions. Bell said her team in the Western Cape has reflected on the province’s poor prosecution rate, and they have put several measures in place to address these problems. According to her, things are looking up.

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Speaking about the Joshlin Smith case, Bell said the matter had huge reputational consequences for her office. She explained that not everyone in her office agreed to prosecute the accused. She had to make a decision, which was the right one in the end, she said.

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