Mothibi warns organised crime, shaky law enforcement could destabilise SA
The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi has warned that organised crime poses a serious threat to South Africa’s stability, describing the country as being in a state of crisis.
Mothibi says the infiltration of organised crime has exposed significant weaknesses in the country’s criminal justice system.
The NDPP was speaking during a corruption prevention webinar hosted by the Institute for Security Studies and the Special Investigating Unit on Friday.
He said the scale of organised crime has forced the government to take extraordinary measures, including the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to combat illegal mining and gangsterism across five provinces.
According to Mothibi, the move highlights the reality that law enforcement agencies are not adequately equipped to deal with the growing threat.
“As organised crime increases, we have had to bring in the SANDF, as directed by the President. The fact that this has been welcomed by the public reflects the seriousness of the situation,” he said.
Mothibi warned that failure to act decisively could allow organised crime to destabilise the state.
He said while the SANDF deployment may provide temporary relief, it underscores the urgent need to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
“We need to capacitate, skill, and prepare our institutions so that when the defence force is withdrawn, we are able to sustain crime prevention efforts,” he said.
Mothibi identified crime intelligence and investigative capacity as key areas requiring urgent attention. Strengthening these functions, he said, would enable authorities to detect threats early and ensure effective investigations.
He also emphasised the importance of prosecutor-led investigations, saying this approach has proven effective in securing arrests and building strong cases.
“Delays in the justice system undermine public trust. It is critical that cases are properly prepared and presented in court to ensure successful outcomes,” he added.
Mothibi further highlighted the need to focus on preventative measures, particularly in tackling corruption, which he described as a form of organised crime with the potential to significantly undermine the state.
He said organised crime takes many forms, including violent crime, extortion, and attacks on infrastructure, and requires a coordinated response involving both government and the public.
“The culture of impunity that we have seen over the years must be decisively addressed,” he said.
Mothibi noted that progress is being made through the implementation of recommendations from various commissions of inquiry, but stressed that consistent action is needed.
He also pointed to asset forfeiture as a critical tool in dismantling criminal networks.
“By removing illegally acquired assets, we weaken the ability of criminal groups to fund their operations and challenge the state,” he said.
Mothibi stressed that sustained implementation of anti-corruption and crime-fighting measures will be key to reversing the current trend.
“Failure to act decisively in the past has contributed to where we are today. We must now ensure consistent and effective follow-through,” he said.
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