President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint advocate Andy Mothibi as the new NPA head has triggered criticism from political parties and analysts, with MK Party calling for Mothibi to arrest Hangwani Maumela.
Mothibi was appointed as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) on Tuesday.
The move, however, has drawn sharp criticism across the political spectrum, with opposition parties questioning both the integrity of the process and the timing of the appointment.
The MKP accused Ramaphosa of orchestrating the outcome, claiming the decision was “politically deliberate” and aimed at positioning Mothibi in a constitutionally powerful role.
The party raised serious concerns over the timing, noting that during Mothibi’s tenure as head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), his office found prima facie evidence implicating Maumela in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal.
Those findings were referred to the NPA’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
MKP alleged the appointment was intended to shield Maumela, who is Ramaphosa’s nephew, from imminent arrest and prosecution.
The party has called on Mothibi, once he assumes office in February, to act “decisively and without delay” by ensuring Maumela’s immediate arrest if the evidence warrants it.
Political analyst Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast also criticised the process, arguing that it undermined transparency and wasted public resources.
He questioned why candidates were interviewed if the president intended to appoint someone outside the process.
“This makes the decision appear political and weakens confidence in the system,” Breakfast said.
Similar concerns were raised by the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), which welcomed Mothibi’s appointment but criticised the process, noting that he was neither shortlisted nor interviewed by the advisory panel.
The party questioned the purpose of the panel if the president intended to exercise his powers of direct appointment from the outset.
The Democratic Alliance’s Glynnis Breytenbach said she did not believe Mothibi was the right choice, arguing that the NDPP should be able to serve a full, long-term tenure, and raising concerns about his age.
Defending the decision, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the president was under no legal obligation to appoint a candidate interviewed by the panel.
He stressed that the Constitution allows the president to look beyond an advisory process if it fails to produce a suitable candidate.
“He is well within his legal rights to appoint the most appropriate person,” Magwenya said.
Support has also come from within Parliament.
Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee chairperson, Xola Nqola, said the appointment comes at a critical moment for the criminal justice system.
This is as the NPA grapples with capacity constraints, leadership instability, case backlogs and declining public trust after years of state capture.
“The NDPP plays a vital role in restoring confidence, strengthening accountability and combating corruption,” Nqola said, adding that Parliament expects integrity, efficiency and independence from the new head.
Security strategist Andy Mashaile welcomed the appointment, saying Mothibi’s experience and strategic insight would add value to the NPA as it confronts one of the most demanding periods in its history.
“I worked with him, the experience and expertise and the strategic mind will add serious value to the processes of the NPA,” he added.
Politics
