The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed the passing of Deputy National Director of Prosecutions (DNDPP) advocate Rodney De Kock.
The DNDPP passed away on Monday, 20 January, and was diagnosed with brain cancer in December 2024.
NPA’S RODNEY DE COCK LOSES BATTLE AGAINST CANCER
NPA spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said De Kock assumed the position of DNDPP on 1 June 2020.
Mhaga said he joined the NPA ExCo team to contribute to rebuilding the NPA after years of state capture.
Prior to being appointed DNDPP, he was Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Western Cape—the first black man appointed to this position in South Africa.
Before that, advocate De Kock ran a successful law practice in Cape Town, focusing on human rights and civil and criminal litigation.
“He devoted his life to fighting for justice and defending the democratic order. As DNDPP responsible for the National Prosecutions Service, he led the core function of the NPA, which prosecutes and supervises DPPs from all the divisions.
“The NPA leadership, NPA staff, and colleagues in the criminal justice system will miss his passion for justice and the rule of law in this country. DK, as we fondly called him, was a pillar of strength in the NPA. Amongst many other things, he led the law enforcement agencies on the FATF, focusing our collective efforts and commitment to get the country to exit grey listing and dedicated his last months to this work,” Mhaga said.
Advocate Shamila Batohi, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, said de Kock’s death is a huge loss for the NPA and the country.
Batohi described him as a solid lawyer, a gentleman, and a true warrior for justice.
“He will be sorely missed,” she said.
The NPA said details relating to adv De Kock’s memorial service and funeral arrangements will be communicated by his family spokesperson in due course.
DA SENDS CONDOLENCES
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also sent condolences to De Kock’s family and the prosecuting authority.
The party said adv Rodney dD Kock dedicated his life to serving South Africans as a “people’s lawyer” in the truest sense.
“A profoundly dedicated and decent man, his loss will be felt within the National Prosecuting Authority and the criminal justice system as a whole,” DA spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development Glynnis Breytenbach said.
HOW WILL YOU REMEMBER ADVOCATE RODNEY DE KOCK?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
