President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Andy Mothibi as South Africa’s new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), with effect from 1 February 2026. Advocate Mothibi will replace outgoing NDPP Advocate Shamila Batohi, whose term of office comes to an end at the end of January.
The appointment was announced by the Presidency on Tuesday night, in accordance with section 179(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read together with section 10 of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act. The NDPP is the head of the NPA and occupies a pivotal position within the country’s criminal justice system.
Given the significance of the role, Ramaphosa established an advisory panel to oversee an open and transparent selection process. The panel was chaired by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi and comprised senior figures from key constitutional and legal institutions.
The panel included South African Human Rights Commission chairperson Andrew Christoffel Nissen, Commission for Gender Equality chairperson Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale, Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke, Public Service Commission chairperson Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Black Lawyers Association president Nkosana Mvundlela, and National Association of Democratic Lawyers president Machini Motloung.
From a total of 32 applications, the panel shortlisted six candidates for interviews. After completing its work, the panel submitted its report to the President on 12 December 2025. In its findings, the panel advised that none of the interviewed candidates met the requirements for appointment as NDPP.
Following consideration of the report, President Ramaphosa exercised his constitutional authority to appoint Advocate Mothibi to the position.
Advocate Mothibi currently serves as Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), where he has overseen investigations into corruption, maladministration and the recovery of state funds. He began his legal career as a public prosecutor in Johannesburg and Soweto Magistrates’ and Regional Courts before being appointed as a magistrate in the same jurisdictions.
He has since held several senior leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, specialising in legal services, governance, compliance and risk management. His previous roles include serving at the South African Revenue Service as Head of Corporate Legal Services and Head of Governance.
Ramaphosa expressed his gratitude to Advocate Batohi for her service and contribution to the National Prosecuting Authority during her term of office and wished her well in her future endeavours. The President also thanked members of the advisory panel for carrying out their responsibilities diligently and providing considered guidance.
Advocate Mothibi’s appointment creates a vacancy at the Special Investigating Unit. To ensure continuity, President Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Lekgetho as Acting Head of the SIU with effect from 1 February 2026, in line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act.
Lekgetho is currently the Chief Operations Officer of the SIU and brings more than 22 years of forensic investigation experience, including service with the former Directorate of Special Operations, known as the Scorpions.
