Johannesburg – Advocate Rodney De Kock, the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), has succumbed to an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Announcing his passing, the De Kock family said: “It is with great sadness, that the De Kock family announces the passing of Advocate Rodney De Kock, a seasoned advocate, and officer of the court, who, at the time of his departure, was the NDPP”.
The family statement released Tuesday, (21 January 2025), added: “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.
Advocate De Kock had a distinguished career in private practice, the training and mentoring young legal practitioners, and the management of the prosecutorial services in the country.
He articled at Wilkinson Joshua and Gihwalla in 1983, where he became a partner.
Advocate De Kock went on to serve as Head of the Legal Aid Board Clinic at the University of Cape Town from 1994 to 1999, under whom numerous candidate attorneys completed their articles.
He was a founding member and served on the executive of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) established in 1987 under the leadership of renowned Cape Town lawyer and later the first Minister of Justice in a democratic South Africa, the late former Minister Dullah Omar, and the esteemed late Chief Justice Pius Langa and many others.
He served as a Presiding Officer in the Electoral Court in 1994 and in 1997 he was appointed by the Minister of Justice, as a member of the Legal Aid Task Team which drafted the country’s National Public Defender Model.
Advocate De Kock was the first black person to be appointed an Attorney General in the country when he took up the post of Attorney General of the Western Cape in 1999, after which he joined the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) 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.
Advocate De Kock was appointed by the President as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions in June 2020, a position he held until his passing.
“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,” said Nazeem Mahatey, the family spokesperson.
“He was a devoted father to his children, Ryan and Samanth, whom he loved and cherished dearly.”
Mahatey revealed that Advocate De Kock had many other interests and talents.
“He was a serious musician, having mastered the guitar and the saxophone,” Mahatey said.
“He was also a weekend motor mechanic and had a passion for spending time in the outdoors in the company of good friends.
“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.”
Advocate De Kock leaves behind his two children and four siblings.
“The family wishes to express its appreciation for the support from government, colleagues, and friends at this difficult time,” Mahatey said.
“The family requests some privacy as they come to terms with the loss and make the necessary arrangements to lay Advocate De Kock to rest.
“Details of the memorial and funeral service will be communicated in due course.”
