Overview
- Mothibi takes office on 1 February 2026 as Shamila Batohi retires at the end of January.
- He was not among the six candidates interviewed by the advisory panel, which had shortlisted from 32 applicants.
- The Presidency named SIU chief operations officer Leonard Lekgetho as acting head of the SIU from 1 February.
- Ramaphosa publicly defended the choice, citing time constraints and Mothibi’s performance at the SIU.
- Law firm B Xulu and Partners has an urgent court bid seeking to halt the appointment over alleged procedural flaws in the selection process.