Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, to serve as the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Mothibi will assume the position starting in February 2026.

According to South African Government News Agency, Advocate Mothibi began his career as a Public Prosecutor in the Johannesburg and Soweto Magistrates and Regional Courts. He also held the position of Magistrate in the same courts. In addition to his prosecutorial work, Mothibi has held various roles in both the public and private sectors, managing legal, compliance, and risk management operations. His previous roles include serving at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as Head of Corporate Legal Services and Head of Governance.

President Ramaphosa had appointed a six-member Advisory Panel for the selection of the new NDPP, which was led by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi. The panel conducted interviews with six candidates out of a pool of approximately 32 applicants for the position. The panel concluded its process and submitted a report to the President on December 12, 2025, advising that none of the interviewed candidates were suitable for the role of NDPP.

Consequently, President Ramaphosa decided to appoint Advocate Mothibi under section 179(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read with section 10 of the NPA Act, 1998 (Act 32 of 1998). The President expressed his gratitude to the panel members for their counsel and diligent execution of their responsibilities.

Mothibi’s appointment will result in a vacancy at the SIU, with Leonard Lekgetho set to become Acting Head from February. Lekgetho is currently the Chief Operations Officer of the SIU and brings over 22 years of forensic investigations experience, including time as a Forensic Investigator at the Directorate of Special Operations, also known as the Scorpions.

The current NDPP, Advocate Shamila Batohi, is expected to retire later this month after completing a full term in office. President Ramaphosa thanked Advocate Batohi for her service and contribution to the country’s prosecutions agency and wished her well in her future endeavors.