Overview
- Mothibi will assume the National Director of Public Prosecutions role on 1 February 2026, following Shamila Batohi’s retirement at the end of January.
- The presidency says the appointment was made under section 179(1)(a) of the Constitution read with section 10 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act.
- An advisory panel led by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi reported to the president on 12 December 2025 that none of the interviewed candidates were suitable.
- Mothibi currently heads the Special Investigating Unit and previously served as a public prosecutor, a magistrate in Johannesburg and Soweto, and a senior legal executive at SARS.
- With Mothibi moving to the NPA, Leonard Lekgetho has been named acting head of the SIU from 1 February to ensure continuity.