President Cyril Ramaphosa has established a high-level panel to oversee the selection of South Africa’s next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), as the term of the incumbent, Shamila Batohi, winds down.
Batohi, who made history in 2018 as the first woman to lead the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is set to conclude her term in January 2026, and the process to find her successor is already underway. The presidency has described the role as “vital to our democracy”, underscoring the importance of a transparent and accountable selection process.
Transparent Selection Process
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya announced the move on Tuesday, stating that President Ramaphosa has chosen to repeat the open and transparent approach used when Batohi was first appointed.
“President Ramaphosa considers the national director of public prosecutions a vital position in our democracy that makes an essential contribution to upholding the rule of law,” Magwenya said.
To lead the process, Ramaphosa has appointed Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi as chair of the panel.
Panel Composition
The panel will consist of representatives from key independent institutions and legal associations, including:
-
Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission
-
Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality
-
The Auditor-General of South Africa
-
Chairperson of the Public Service Commission
-
A representative of the Black Lawyers Association
-
A representative of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers
Mandate and Timeline
The panel has been tasked with:
-
Calling for public nominations
-
Shortlisting and interviewing candidates
-
Ensuring proper vetting
-
Submitting a shortlist of three suitable candidates, along with a detailed report on their qualifications and suitability for the role
The final recommendations are to be submitted to the president within three months of the panel’s establishment.
Legacy of Batohi’s Term
When Batohi was appointed in 2018, her entry into office came during a period of deep institutional crisis for the NPA, which had suffered years of leadership instability and public distrust.
President Ramaphosa described her appointment at the time as a response to “the state of dysfunctionality and deficiencies in the NPA that were identified by the Constitutional Court.”
During her term, Batohi was expected to restore public trust in the prosecutorial authority and reassert its independence in the face of past political interference.
The Stakes
As South Africa continues its battle against entrenched corruption and seeks to strengthen the rule of law, the position of NDPP remains one of the most critical roles in the country’s justice system.
“The NDPP must ensure that the NPA exercises its functions without fear, favour or prejudice and should not be beholden to any vested interests, whether in politics, in business or elsewhere,” Magwenya emphasized.
The upcoming appointment process is likely to attract considerable public attention, given the NPA’s central role in prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, including those related to state capture.
As the clock ticks toward Batohi’s exit in 2026, all eyes will be on the panel’s work to ensure that her successor can build on — or go beyond — the progress made during her historic tenure.
