The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that the Northern Cape High Court recorded an impressive 92.3% NPA conviction rate.
The announcement came during National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi’s recent regional visit.
Batohi has been travelling across the country to meet prosecutors, assess progress and address challenges affecting the delivery of justice.
On 9 and 10 October 2025, she engaged with the Northern Cape NPA division in Kimberley and Upington as part of this drive.
STAFF GROWTH BOOSTS NPA CONVICTION RATE
Batohi noted a sharp rise in staff numbers in the region.
The Northern Cape division recorded a 48.37% increase in personnel, growing from 153 officials in the 2019/20 financial year to 227 in 2024/25.
She said the expansion reflects the organisation’s broader effort to strengthen prosecutorial capacity and speed up court processes.
According to Batohi, the staff increase supports the NPA’s goal of improving conviction outcomes and ensuring justice is served.
SERIOUS CRIMES DRIVE HIGH NPA CONVICTION RATE
The NPA conviction rate in the Northern Cape includes convictions for serious offences such as murder, sexual crimes and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
These results exceeded performance targets set for the region and drew praise from Batohi.
She highlighted that consistent court outcomes signal stronger case preparation, better coordination with investigators and a more efficient justice system.
FREE STATE COURTS ALSO SHOW PROGRESS
Before the Northern Cape visit, Batohi visited the Free State on 8 October 2025.
Prosecution teams in the region also performed above expectations.
District courts in the province achieved a 95.8% success rate in verdicts, while regional courts surpassed their targets.
The visit further revealed that the Bloemfontein and Welkom divisions recorded more than a 26% increase in staff over the past five years.
Batohi said these improvements contribute to the broader national rise in the NPA conviction rate and reflect the organisation’s commitment to rebuilding its capacity.
