### Ramaphosa's Controversial Appointment of Advocate Andy Mothibi as NDPP Sparks Political Debate President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), effective February 1, 2026. This decision follows a contentious selection process where none of the interviewed candidates were deemed suitable by the panel, leading to Mothibi's appointment despite not being a candidate in the interviews. The move has raised eyebrows among political parties and civil society, with concerns about transparency and the implications for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) [https://vocfm.co.za/president-ramaphosa-appoints-andy-mothibi-as-head-of-national-prosecuting-authority][https://briefly.co.za/south-africa/232567-presidency-necessary-ndpp-head-interviewed]. ### Breakdown of the Appointment Process and Reactions 1. **Appointment Announcement**: - Advocate Andy Mothibi, currently the head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), was appointed as the NDPP by President Ramaphosa on January 6, 2026, with the official start date set for February 1, 2026 [https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/ramaphosa-appoints-andy-mothibi-new-head-npa]. 2. **Selection Controversy**: - The appointment has been controversial as Mothibi was not part of the six candidates interviewed for the NDPP position. Ramaphosa defended his choice, citing constitutional authority to appoint any individual he deems fit [https://joburgetc.com/news/ramaphosa-defends-mothibi-ndpp-appointment]. 3. **Political Reactions**: - Various political parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Democratic Alliance (DA), and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), have expressed concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the appointment process. They argue that the decision undermines the integrity of the prosecutorial system [https://africannewsagency.com/andy-mothibis-ndpp-appointment-mk-party-eff-da-and-ifp-weigh-in-on-surprise-move]. 4. **Praise for Outgoing NDPP**: - Ramaphosa acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing NDPP, Advocate Shamila Batohi, who has been credited with restoring public confidence in the NPA during her tenure [https://newsnote.co.za/cyril-ramaphosa-praises-the-outgoing-ndpp-head-adv-shamila-batohi]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Timeline of Events**: - January 6, 2026: Announcement of Mothibi's appointment as NDPP [https://www.capetownetc.com/news/ramaphosa-names-advocate-jan-lekgoa-mothibi-as-new-ndpp]. - February 1, 2026: Official start date for Mothibi in his new role [https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/advocate-jan-lekgoa-mothibi-appointed-new-ndpp]. - **Political Party Responses**: - EFF, DA, and IFP have publicly criticized the appointment, emphasizing the need for a transparent selection process [https://africannewsagency.com/andy-mothibis-ndpp-appointment-mk-party-eff-da-and-ifp-weigh-in-on-surprise-move]. ### Conclusion: Implications of Mothibi's Appointment The appointment of Advocate Andy Mothibi as the new NDPP has ignited significant political discourse surrounding the integrity and transparency of the prosecutorial system in South Africa. 1. **Key Findings**: - **Controversial Selection**: Mothibi's appointment, made without a competitive interview process, raises questions about the selection criteria and the role of the presidency in such appointments. - **Political Backlash**: The decision has drawn criticism from multiple political factions, indicating a potential challenge for Mothibi as he assumes his new role. 2. **Future Considerations**: - The effectiveness of Mothibi in his new position will be closely monitored, particularly in light of the political scrutiny surrounding his appointment and the expectations set by his predecessor's achievements [https://newsnote.co.za/ramaphosa-defends-appointment-of-siu-head-andy-mothibi-as-new-national-director-of-public-prosecutions].