By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Jan Lekgoa “Andy” Mothibi as the Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) in terms of section 179 (1) (a) of the constitution with effect from 1 February 2026.
Mothibi is currently the Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and has extensive experience as a public prosecutor, magistrate, and senior legal executive.
He replaces, Shamila Batohi, who retires end of January after a term in which she has had to reform the institution gutted by State Capture and neutered by the former president Jacob Zuma, who understood that to stay out of jail he needed a pliant NDPP.
Batohi is slated to be the first NDPP ever to leave without being removed, retiring based on age, not years of service.
The NDPP is the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and is responsible for ensuring that criminal prosecutions are conducted without fear, favour, or prejudice.
In a statement this evening, the presidency said, none of the interviewed candidates were suitable for the role of the NDPP.
An advisory panel chaired by justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi shortlisted and interviewed candidates over two days in December. The candidates interviewed were advocates Nicolette Bell, Hermione Cronje, Andrea Johnson, Xolisile Khanyile, Adrian Mopp and Menzi Simelane.
“The panel concluded its process and submitted its report to the president on December 12 2025. In its report, the panel advised the president that none of the interviewed candidates was suitable,” said presidency.
“Accordingly, (the president) has … decided to appoint advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi, with effect from February 1 2026, as the national director of public prosecutions (NDPP).”
Mothibi began his career as a public prosecutor in the Johannesburg and Soweto magistrate’s and regional courts. He also served as a magistrate in the Johannesburg and Soweto magistrate’s courts.
He has previously served in various public and private sector roles managing legal, compliance and risk management operations, including at SARS as Head of Corporate Legal Services and Head of Governance.
Ramaphosa has thanked Batohi for her service and contribution to the country’s prosecutions agency and wishes her well in her future endeavours.
With the appointment of Mothibi as the NDPP leaving a vacancy at the Special Investigating Unit, the President has decided to appoint Leonard Lekgetho as the Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit with effect from 1 February 2026 in line with Section 3(1) (b) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (Act No. 74 of 1996).
Lekgetho is currently serving as the Chief Operations Officer of the SIU. He has over 22 years of forensic investigations experience, including serving as the Forensic Investigator at the then Directorate of Special Operations, which was known as the Scorpions.