President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint advocate Andy Mothibi as the new head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has triggered a political storm, with opposition parties and analysts sharply criticising both the process and the timing of the move.
Mothibi was appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) on Tuesday, but the announcement has already drawn strong reactions across the political spectrum.
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MK Party Claims Appointment Is ‘Politically Deliberate’
The MK Party (MKP) accused Ramaphosa of deliberately positioning Mothibi in a powerful constitutional role for political reasons.
The party raised concerns over the timing of the appointment, pointing out that during Mothibi’s tenure as head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), his office uncovered prima facie evidence implicating Hangwani Maumela in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal.
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Those findings were later referred to the NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
MKP alleged that the appointment was intended to shield Maumela, who is Ramaphosa’s nephew, from arrest and prosecution.
The party has called on Mothibi, once he assumes office in February, to act “decisively and without delay” by ensuring Maumela’s immediate arrest should the evidence warrant it.
Opposition and Analysts Slam ‘Flawed’ Appointment Process
Political analyst Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast criticised the appointment process, arguing that it undermined transparency and resulted in wasted public resources.
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He questioned why candidates were interviewed by an advisory panel if the president intended to appoint someone outside that process.
“This makes the decision appear political and weakens confidence in the system,” Breakfast said.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) also raised concerns, welcoming Mothibi’s appointment but criticising the process, noting that he was neither shortlisted nor interviewed by the advisory panel.
The party questioned the purpose of the panel if the president planned to exercise his powers of direct appointment from the outset.
Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach said she did not believe Mothibi was the right choice, arguing that the NDPP should be able to serve a full, long-term tenure and raising concerns about his age.
Ramaphosa Defends Decision as Parliament Voices Support
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, defended the appointment, saying the president was under no legal obligation to appoint a candidate interviewed by the advisory panel.
He said the Constitution allows the president to look beyond the advisory process if it fails to produce a suitable candidate.
“He is well within his legal rights to appoint the most appropriate person,” Magwenya said.
Support has also emerged from within Parliament.
Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee chairperson Xola Nqola said the appointment comes at a critical time for the criminal justice system, which is facing leadership instability, capacity constraints, case backlogs and declining public trust following years of state capture.
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“The NDPP plays a vital role in restoring confidence, strengthening accountability and combating corruption,” Nqola said, adding that Parliament expects integrity, efficiency and independence from the new NPA head.
Security strategist Andy Mashaile also welcomed the appointment, saying Mothibi’s experience and strategic insight would strengthen the NPA during one of the most demanding periods in its history.
“I worked with him, the experience and expertise and the strategic mind will add serious value to the processes of the NPA,” Mashaile said.
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