South Africa has a new head of prosecutions following an intense and closely watched appointment process that culminated on Tuesday night.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has selected Advocate Jan Lekgoa Mothibi as the country's next National Director of Public Prosecutions, with the Presidency confirming the decision on 6 January 2026. Mothibi will formally take over the powerful role on 1 February 2026, stepping in as current NDPP Shamilla Batohi prepares to retire at the end of that month.
The appointment follows a series of interviews overseen by an advisory panel established by the president to guide the selection process. The panel, chaired by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, completed its work in December and submitted its report to Ramaphosa on 12 December 2025.
