{"id":35672,"date":"2026-01-07T22:46:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T20:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/?p=35672"},"modified":"2026-01-07T22:50:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T20:50:56","slug":"opposition-cries-foul-over-ramaphosas-appointment-of-andy-mothibi-as-ndpp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/2026\/01\/07\/opposition-cries-foul-over-ramaphosas-appointment-of-andy-mothibi-as-ndpp\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition cries foul over Ramaphosa\u2019s appointment of Andy Mothibi as NDPP"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_35673\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35673\" style=\"width: 770px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-35673\" src=\"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/250325-siu-andy-mothibi-ed-770x433.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/250325-siu-andy-mothibi-ed-770x433.webp 770w, https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/250325-siu-andy-mothibi-ed-1170x658.webp 1170w, https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/250325-siu-andy-mothibi-ed-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/250325-siu-andy-mothibi-ed.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35673\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image credit: @RSASIU\/X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>President Cyril Ramaphosa\u2019s decision to bypass the official interview shortlist and appoint Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who are questioning the transparency and political implications of the move.<\/p>\n<p>The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have both raised concerns, with the MK Party making particularly explosive allegations about the timing and motive behind the appointment.<\/p>\n<p>The EFF described the decision as a &#8220;legislative loophole&#8221; that grants the President wide discretion in appointing the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). While acknowledging Mothibi\u2019s experience at the SIU, the party stressed that its remarks should not be read as an endorsement of his appointment.<\/p>\n<p>The party further argued that the NPA was &#8220;hollowed out&#8221; under outgoing NDPP Advocate, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/2025\/06\/06\/changing-npa-heads-wont-fix-south-africas-justice-system-batohi\/\">Shamila Batohi<\/a>, pointing to her recent walkout from the Nkabinde Commission as evidence of what it called a broader leadership crisis within the prosecuting authority.<\/p>\n<p>The party said it would judge Mothibi\u2019s tenure strictly on outcomes, particularly his ability to dismantle what it describes as a culture of impunity for serious criminals.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">EFF ON THE APPOINTMENT OF ADV. ANDY MOTHIBI AS NDPP <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hXDedQereK\">pic.twitter.com\/hXDedQereK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EFFSouthAfrica\/status\/2008840538817204429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The MK Party, however, went further, alleging that Mothibi\u2019s appointment was politically calculated and pre-orchestrated. The party questioned whether he was selected to shield President Ramaphosa\u2019s nephew, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/2025\/09\/29\/ramaphosas-nephew-implicated-in-r2bn-tembisa-hospital-graft-probe\/\">Hangwani Maumela<\/a>, from potential prosecution.<\/p>\n<p>This follows SIU findings \u2014 led by Mothibi himself just months ago \u2014 that implicated Maumela in the R2-billion Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal. The MK Party claims the appointment is a smokescreen aimed at exerting political pressure on the incoming NDPP to delay or derail any prosecution involving the President\u2019s family member.<\/p>\n<p>The party has now challenged Mothibi to demonstrate his independence by making the arrest and prosecution of Maumela his first act in office.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">[MEDIA STATEMENT]: UMKHONTO WESIZWE PARTY STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF ADV. ANDY MOTHIBI AS NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (NDPP) AND THE CALL FOR THE ARREST OF MR. CYRIL RAMAPHOSA\u2019S NEPHEW HANGWANI MAUMELA <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yJWsh5c27O\">pic.twitter.com\/yJWsh5c27O<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MkhontoweSizwex\/status\/2008867889701683281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the appointment has been welcomed by the executive and prosecuting authorities. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said she supports the President\u2019s decision and also welcomed the appointment of Leonard Lekgetho as Acting Head of the SIU.<\/p>\n<p>Kubayi said she would convene meetings with leadership within both the NPA and the SIU to ensure a smooth transition and strengthen the criminal justice system.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">TO: ALL MEDIA<br \/>\nATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS<br \/>\nDATE: WEDNESDAY, 07 JANUARY 2026<\/p>\n<p>MINISTER KUBAYI WELCOMES THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS<\/p>\n<p>The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, welcomes the decision and announcement by\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The DoJ &amp; CD (@DOJCD_ZA) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DOJCD_ZA\/status\/2008876939579097259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Outgoing NDPP Advocate Shamila Batohi has also endorsed Mothibi\u2019s appointment, describing him as a person of integrity with a strong track record in upholding the rule of law. She said the NPA has prepared a comprehensive handover report and scheduled briefings to ensure continuity as Mothibi assumes office on 1 February.<\/p>\n<p>As his start date approaches, Mothibi faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that the NPA will operate without fear, favour or prejudice \u2014 and, as opposition parties warn, without political protection.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Advocate Shamila Batohi, National Director of Public Prosecutions, welcomes the appointment of Adv Andy Mothibi as the new NDPP <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/WCexnujQn0\">pic.twitter.com\/WCexnujQn0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NPASouthAfrica (@NPA_Prosecutes) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NPA_Prosecutes\/status\/2008877731698905527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Written by: Lebohang Ndashe\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>President Cyril Ramaphosa\u2019s decision to bypass the official interview shortlist and appoint Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who are questioning the transparency and political implications of the move. The Economic Freedom ...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":35673,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[2369,2374,1307,2375,2370,2373,2377,2371,2372,2376],"class_list":["post-35672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-andy-mothibi","tag-eff-backlash","tag-hangwani-maumela","tag-mk-party-allegations","tag-ndpp-south-africa","tag-npa-leadership","tag-prosecutorial-independence","tag-ramaphosa-ndpp-decision","tag-siu-head-andy-mothibi","tag-tembisa-hospital-corruption"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/250325-siu-andy-mothibi-ed.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35672"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35672\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35676,"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35672\/revisions\/35676"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yfm.co.za\/devworld\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}