NPA Head Hunt Underway as Interviews Commence

Natalie Nyathi

The search for a new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) is officially starting today, with interviews for shortlisted candidates taking place in Pretoria.

This important process aims to find a successor for Advocate Shamila Batohi, who is set to retire in January 2026. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is responsible for state prosecutions in South Africa, and the NDPP leads the agency, overseeing prosecutions and efforts against corruption.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has stressed the significance of this appointment. He noted that forming an Advisory Panel for selecting the NDPP is meant to build public confidence in both the process and the person chosen for the role. Six candidates are in the running: Advocate Nicolette Bell, Advocate Hermione Cronje, Advocate Andrea Johnson, Advocate Xolisile Khanyile, Advocate Adrian Mopp, and Advocate Menzi Simelane.

The interviews will be held over two days, December 10 and 11, at the Auditor-General South Africa Offices in Pretoria. They will start at 10 AM and will be livestreamed on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s YouTube channel.

The Advisory Panel, led by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, includes members from various institutions, as well as representatives from the Black Lawyers Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers.

This selection process comes amid challenges faced by the NPA, which has received criticism for its handling of high-profile cases. There have been calls for stronger leadership to restore public trust. One candidate, Menzi Simelane, previously served as NDPP but faced legal challenges during his time in office, with the Constitutional Court declaring his appointment invalid in 2012.

After the interviews, the advisory panel will submit recommendations to President Ramaphosa, who will make the final decision.