In terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the National Prosecuting Authority Act, the President is responsible for appointing the National Director of Public Prosecutions. Given the critical role of this office within the criminal justice system, President Cyril Ramaphosa established an advisory panel to guide the selection of the NDPP through an open and transparent process.
The advisory panel was chaired by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Honourable Mmamoloko Kubayi. Its members were Mr Andrew Christoffel Nissen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission; Ms Nthabiseng Sepanya Mogale, Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality; Ms Tsakani Maluleke, Auditor General of South Africa; Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission; Mr Nkosana Mvundlela, President of the Black Lawyers Association; and Mr Machini Motloung, President of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers. From 32 applications, the panel shortlisted 6 candidates for interviews.
The panel concluded its work and 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 matter, President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in accordance with section 179(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read together with section 10 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act 32 of 1998), appointed Advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi as the National Director of Public Prosecutions with effect from 1 February 2026.
Advocate Mothibi is currently the Head of the Special Investigating Unit. He began his professional career as a Public Prosecutor in the Johannesburg and Soweto Magistrates and Regional Courts and later served as a Magistrate in the Johannesburg and Soweto Magistrates Courts. He has also held senior positions in both the public and private sectors, overseeing legal, compliance and risk management functions, including roles at the South African Revenue Service as Head of Corporate Legal Services and Head of Governance.
President Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation to Advocate Shamila Batohi for her service and contribution to the work of the National Prosecuting Authority and wishes her well in her future endeavours.
The President has also thanked the members of the advisory panel for their guidance and for executing their responsibilities with diligence.
As the appointment of Advocate Mothibi creates a vacancy at the Special Investigating Unit, the President has decided to appoint Mr Leonard Lekgetho as Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit with effect from 1 February 2026. This appointment is made in line with section 3(1)(b) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996.
Mr Lekgetho currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer of the Special Investigating Unit. He brings more than 22 years of experience in forensic investigations, including service as a Forensic Investigator at the former Directorate of Special Operations, commonly known as the Scorpions.
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