NPA Deputy Head, Adv Rodney De Kock, passes away

Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Rodney De Kock, has died after he was diagnosed with brain cancer in December last year.

This according to a statement released by the De Kock family on Tuesday morning.

“Advocate De Kock was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer in early December last year, resulting in a rapid decline in his health condition. 

“He succumbed to the cancer at Morningside Mediclinic in Johannesburg, Gauteng, yesterday evening, 20 January 2025, surrounded by family and friends,” the statement read.

De Kock had been serving as the Deputy NDPP since his appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June 2020 following a distinguished career in private practice and public prosecutions.

Some of his career highlights include:

• Serving as a Presiding Officer in the Electoral Court in 1994.
• Serving as Head of the Legal Aid Board Clinic at the University of Cape Town from 1994 to 1999.
• He was a founding member and served on the executive of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers.
• He was the first black person to be appointed as an Attorney General in the country when he took up the post of Attorney General of the Western Cape from 1999, after which he joined the National Prosecuting Authority as Director of Public Prosecutions for the Western Cape in November 2003. 
• He was also asked to act as the National Director of Public Prosecutions in 2019 by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“After a luminary career, marked by an uncompromising dedication to justice, the democratic order, and to his fellow citizens, his family and friends take great solace in knowing that Rodney served his country with unblemished integrity, dedication, honesty and humility. 

“He was a devoted father to his children, Ryan and Samantha, whom he loved and cherished dearly.

“The De Kock family takes much comfort from the fact that their beloved father, brother and elder, passed peacefully after a short but courageous battle. They are grateful for the time they have shared with him. The family wishes to express its appreciation for the support from government, colleagues and friends at this difficult time,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za