By Thapelo Molefe
The legal community and many others are in mourning following the death of Adv. Rodney de Kock, the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, who died on Monday evening after a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
He died peacefully at Morningside Mediclinic in Johannesburg, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was diagnosed in early December and there was a rapid decline in his health.
In a statement issued by his family, they expressed their profound grief.
“It is with great sadness that the De Kock family announces the passing of Adv. Rodney de Kock, a seasoned advocate and officer of the court. Rodney served his country with unblemished integrity, dedication, honesty, and humility,” the statement said.
De Kock’s career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on South Africa’s legal landscape.
His legal journey began in private practice at Wilkinson Joshua and Gihwalla in 1983, where he became a partner. His passion for nurturing young talent was evident during his tenure as head of the Legal Aid Board Clinic at the University of Cape Town from 1994 to 1999.
A founding member of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, established in 1987, De Kock worked alongside prominent figures such as the late former Justice Minister Dullah Omar and former Chief Justice Pius Langa.
His contributions to the country’s legal system included serving on the Legal Aid Task Team in 1997, where he helped draft South Africa’s National Public Defender Model.
In 1999, Adv. De Kock broke barriers as the first Black Attorney General in South Africa. He joined the National Prosecuting Authority in 2003 as Director of Public Prosecutions for the Western Cape and briefly served as Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions in 2019 at the request of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He was later appointed Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions in 2020, a role he held until his passing.
The family fondly remembered him as a devoted father to his children, Ryan and Samantha, and a man of many talents.
“He was a serious musician, having mastered the guitar and saxophone, a weekend motor mechanic and an outdoor enthusiast,” they shared.
The De Kock family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the government, colleagues and friends during this challenging time.
“We take much comfort in knowing Rodney passed peacefully after a short but courageous battle. We are grateful for the time we shared with him.”
The Democratic Alliance has also expressed its condolences on his passing.
DA justice and constitutional development spokesperson Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach described De Kock as a “people’s lawyer” in the truest sense.
“Adv. De Kock dedicated his life to serving South Africans as a people’s lawyer. A profoundly dedicated and decent man, his loss will be felt within the National Prosecuting Authority and the criminal justice system as a whole,” Breytenbach said.
Details of De Kock’s memorial and funeral services will be announced in due course.
His family has requested privacy as they grieve and make arrangements to honour his legacy.
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