NPA boss pledges to ramp up state capture prosecutions and asset forfeiture

The new head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Andy Mothibi, says he's committed to ensuring the authority continues an upward performance trajectory.

Appearing before Parliament's Justice Committee on Tuesday for the first time in his new capacity, Mothibi has described his first weeks in the job as a "fulfilling process".

He said he's mindful of the public perception that the NPA is not working hard enough to prosecute those involved in state capture, but this is not the case.

As the former head of the Special Investigating Unit, recently appointed NPA head Mothibi said ramping up the performance of the Asset Forfeiture Unit is key to prosecuting state capture and organised crime cases.

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The NPA is currently in the process of recruiting a permanent head of the AFU following the retirement of its former leader.

"Freezing orders is one of the very important parts that really seek to dismantle organised crime. We would like to deal with these matters and up the game in terms of the Asset Forfeiture Unit."

Mothibi said ensuring ethics and accountability at the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption is also a top priority, amid misconduct claims against some of its investigators.

"Where there's specific allegations that there are people with criminal records appointed, I will have to check that and revert to the committee."

In the coming year, Mothibi said the aim is to sustain the conviction rate for organised crime above 90 percent.