Ramaphosa appoints Advocate Andy Mothibi as new prosecutions boss
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Andy Mothibi as South Africa’s new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). Mothibi, who currently heads the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), will assume office on 1 February 2026.
The decision follows an extensive and transparent selection process led by an advisory panel tasked with recommending suitable candidates. However, the panel ultimately found that none of the interviewees were suitable for the position—highlighting the difficulty in finding a replacement for outgoing NDPP Advocate Shamila Batohi.
Advocate Mothibi brings decades of legal experience, having served as a public prosecutor, magistrate, and senior legal executive.
He began his career as a public prosecutor in the Johannesburg and Soweto magistrates’ and regional courts, later becoming a magistrate in those same courts. His public and private sector experience includes serving at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as head of corporate legal services and governance.
President Ramaphosa thanked Advocate Batohi for her service, noting the significant challenges she faced in leading the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Her departure signals the end of a pivotal era for the NPA, while Mothibi’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter in public prosecutions.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL
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