New Western Cape DPP takes over as 1,071 murders recorded in three months
New Western Cape DPP takes over as 1,071 murders recorded in three months. Cape Argus NewsNew Western Cape DPP takes over as 1,071 murders recorded in three monthsStaff Reporter|Published 37 minutes agoAsk AI 1minAdvocate Adrian Carl Mopp has been appointed Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions.
What happened
Image: SuppliedThe Western Cape has a new prosecutions boss, taking charge at a time when more than 1,000 people were murdered in the province in just three months and rape and kidnapping are on the rise. 7% decrease, Cape Town accounted for 869 of the killings and Mfuleni remained the country’s worst murder hotspot, recording 73 murders in three months. Advocate Adrian Carl Mopp has taken over as Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, effective 10 September, as the province records 1,071 murders in the latest quarter and increases in rape and kidnapping.
Mopp takes charge as Western Cape DPPHe has served as Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape since 2009, but his history in tackling organised crime stretches further back. Veteran prosecutor Advocate Adrian Mopp has been appointed Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, putting him at the head of the prosecution service responsible for taking some of the province’s most serious criminal cases to court. Crime figures show scale of province’s violenceBetween April and June, 1,071 people were murdered in the Western Cape.
Mopp headed the Western Cape arm of the Directorate of Special Operations, better known as the Scorpions, from 2004 until 2009 and has also worked in the Asset Forfeiture Unit.
The wider picture
Cape ArgusAsk AIRelated Topics:cyril ramaphosawestern capecrime statsmurderdirector of public prosecutionsadrian moppWednesday, September 16, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said rainfall will be widespread in the south on Wednesday, while the Western and Northern Cape face particularly cold conditions. Rainfall is expected to be widespread in the south, while parts of the Western and Northern Cape will experience cold to very cold conditions.
Very cold, wet and windy conditionsSAWS has issued an advisory for very cold, wet and windy conditions affecting the Western Cape and Northern Cape. IOLAsk AIRelated Topics:sa weather serviceweather alertweather advisoryweather conditionsWednesday, September 16, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, with Mopp’s appointment taking effect from September 10. His arrival comes just as the latest provincial crime statistics laid bare the scale of the violence confronting the criminal justice system.
Rape and kidnapping also increased during the quarter.
What has been reported
Mopp’s own prosecution history puts organised and violent crime firmly within his experience. According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, he has worked on complex cases involving organised crime, serious violent crime, drug trafficking and public transport violence. He now moves into the province’s top prosecution position, replacing Advocate Nicolette Bell, who was appointed Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions for National Prosecutions Services earlier this year. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi welcomed Mopp’s appointment, saying his experience would strengthen the leadership of the National Prosecuting Authority.
Ramaphosa said he trusted Mopp would contribute to “independent, effective and efficient prosecution services”. News South AfricaToday's weather: Prepare for the chill as very cold, wet and windy conditions hit parts of SAYasmine Jacobs|Published 1 hour agoAsk AI 1minSevere thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds and hail are expected across parts of South Africa. Image: FileSouth Africa is in for a partly cloudy and cool to warm Wednesday, with isolated to scattered showers and rain expected across parts of the country.
What to expect on WednesdayAccording to SAWS, Wednesday will be partly cloudy and cool to warm, with isolated to scattered showers and rain.
What happens next
SAWS's extended forecast for Wednesday and Thursday also indicates partly cloudy and cool to warm conditions, with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers. The advisory is valid from Wednesday, until Friday, September 18, meaning it applies throughout Wednesday and remains in effect for the following two days. The advisory makes Wednesday the start of a period of particularly unsettled weather in the two provinces. However, showers and thundershowers are expected to become widespread in the south-east on Thursday.
SAWS also says conditions will be cold to very cold in the west.
The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across iol.co.za. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.