The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) achieved an overall criminal conviction rate of 85.9 percent in the year to 31 March 2008, according to its latest annual report tabled in Parliament.

A total of 1081 High Court trials were finalised during the year with 987 convictions, or 91 percent.

In the District Courts, the National Prosecution Service (NPS) finalised 259 571 cases with a verdict of 227 482 convictions, or 88 percent.

The NPA's conviction rate in Regional Courts was 73 percent, with 34 971 cases finalised and 25 362 convictions.

The Specialised Commercial Crime Unit's (SCCU) conviction rate in these courts was 94.12 percent, or 1943 cases finalised with 1232 convictions, and 655 cases withdrawn, the report said.

The Directorate of Special Operation (DSO, or Scorpions) finalised 182 cases with 171 convictions, or 94 percent, while the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) completed 223 cases with a success rate of 88 percent.

On average, the 1597 High and Lower Courts managed to achieve a positive clearance ratio ? keeping up with its incoming caseload ? during the year.

Altogether 1 037 583 new cases were received and 1 043 857 cases disposed of.

At the end of the year under review, the backlog in all courts was 39 736 ? cases older than 12 months in the High Courts, nine months in the Regional Courts, and six months in the District Courts since enrolment.

The NPA had 6381 posts of which 4630 were filled, leaving a vacancy rate of 27.4 percent, the report said.