CAPE TOWN, Monday 14 September 2026 — President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed veteran prosecutor Adrian Carl Mopp as Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, placing him permanently in charge of an NPA division handling some of South Africa’s most complex organised-crime, gang, corruption and violent-crime prosecutions.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed the appointment on Monday, saying it followed consultation with her and National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi in accordance with the National Prosecuting Authority Act.
Mopp had already been serving as acting Western Cape DPP following Nicolette Bell’s move into the national leadership of the prosecuting authority.
More than 30 years in prosecution system
The Justice Department said Mopp has more than three decades of legal and prosecutorial experience.
He has served as a deputy director of public prosecutions in the Western Cape since 2009 and previously held senior posts in the former Directorate of Special Operations — commonly known as the Scorpions — and the Asset Forfeiture Unit.
From 2004 to 2009, Mopp was regional head of the Directorate of Special Operations in the Western Cape.
He was admitted as an advocate of the High Court in 1993.
Organised crime expertise central to appointment
The department said Mopp has worked extensively on organised crime, serious violent crime, drug trafficking and violence in the public transport sector.
Those fields are particularly significant in the Western Cape, where prosecution authorities continue to confront entrenched gang networks, organised extortion, taxi-related violence and allegations of links between criminal groups and public officials.
The DPP heads the provincial prosecution service and exercises authority over major criminal prosecutions within the division subject to the constitutional authority of the NDPP.
Mopp previously shortlisted for top NPA job
Mopp was one of six candidates shortlisted during the public process to choose a successor to former NDPP Shamila Batohi in late 2025.
The Justice Department’s published candidate profile recorded his experience in special operations, asset forfeiture, organised crime and senior prosecutorial management.
The advisory process ultimately did not recommend a candidate to Ramaphosa.
The president later appointed former SIU head Andy Mothibi as NDPP.
Mopp subsequently served as acting Western Cape DPP before Monday’s permanent appointment.
Bell moved to national role
The Western Cape position became available after former DPP Nicolette Bell moved into the NPA’s national leadership.
The NPA currently lists Bell as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions responsible for the National Prosecutions Service.
That office oversees prosecution services across the country.
Mopp’s permanent appointment therefore fills an important vacancy created by the restructuring of senior NPA leadership following Mothibi’s arrival.
Western Cape division handling politically sensitive cases
The Western Cape DPP’s office oversees a range of high-profile prosecutions involving organised crime and public-sector allegations.
Recent matters have included proceedings connected to alleged gang boss Ralph Stanfield, former Cape Town mayoral committee member Malusi Booi, alleged gang-related murders and major organised-crime investigations.
The NPA previously announced that some commercial charges against Stanfield, Booi and other accused had been provisionally withdrawn after police identified additional evidence requiring investigation.
The accused in those cases remain entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Mopp’s appointment does not alter the evidential or legal position in any individual prosecution.
Appointment comes during broader NPA rebuilding effort
The appointment is part of a wider leadership rebuilding process under Mothibi.
The new NDPP has identified filling senior vacancies, strengthening complex prosecutions, improving cooperation with investigators and increasing the institutional independence of the NPA as priorities.
Mopp’s permanent appointment gives the Western Cape division continuity while the national authority continues those reforms.
Kubayi said the appointment strengthens leadership within the NPA and supports independent and effective prosecution services in the province.
For the Western Cape, the practical test will be whether stable leadership translates into stronger prosecution of organised crime, corruption and violent criminal networks in a province where those cases remain a significant challenge for the justice system.
