Andy Mothibi’s short runway: New NPA boss will serve for around 30 months before retiring
Advocate Andy Mothibi, the newly appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions, will assume office on 1 February with about 30 months before reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Image: File
President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged that the newly appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Andy Mothibi, will have only about 30 months in office before reaching the mandatory retirement age, stating that he was fully aware of this when making the appointment.
Mothibi, currently heading the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), will assume office on 1 February, providing him just over two years at the helm of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) before reaching 65.
Ramaphosa confirmed that Mothibi’s limited tenure was not an oversight but a known factor at the time of his appointment, which has already drawn criticism from opposition parties concerned about leadership continuity at the NPA.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the ANC’s 114th anniversary celebrations in North West province, Ramaphosa said Mothibi, despite having limited time, will continue with the work to turn around the NPA.
“A lot of work has been done in turning the NPA around, we now need to foster and move forward with the transition period. Yes, he will give us two and a half years and we appointed him knowing that very well, particularly because the advisory panel had not given me a candidate,” Ramaphosa was quoted on Newzroom Afrika.
“I needed to appoint someone that I know can take the NPA forward, particularly with his level of experience and the depth of his experience in the prosecutorial field, in the magisterial field, in the management field, and the investigation field.
“Those are the four key areas that I believe are going to stand him in good stead as he takes the NPA forward. So I have full confidence in his ability,” said Ramaphosa.
On the other hand, the Democratic Alliance expressed “cautious optimism”, saying appointing an NDPP with such a short runway risked deepening instability at an institution still grappling with the fallout of years of dysfunction.
DA justice and correctional services spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach said Ramaphosa’s decision raised serious concerns about long-term planning at the prosecuting authority.
“As the SIU head and with experience as a former prosecutor and magistrate, Mothibi is well-suited to lead the National Prosecuting Authority. A major stumbling block is his age. At 63 years of age, he has an extremely limited opportunity to make any impact at all, and will have his work cut out for him,” said Breytenbach.
Andy Mothibi has been appointed as the new head of the National Prosecuting Authority, effective February 1, 2026.
Image: Supplied
“It is somewhat concerning that the president has seen fit to appoint someone of Mr Mothibi’s age, given the serious and systemic issues currently within the NPA. The job itself is a much bigger one than that of head of the SIU.”
She added that Mothibi’s appointment comes at a time when the NPA faces many difficulties.
“Criminality has taken hold of the country, and the NPA needs a leader who will recapacitate the hollowed-out institution and reform the prosecutorial service into a crime-fighting machine,” said Breytenbach.
Who is Advocate Lekgoa Jan Andy Mothibi?
Earlier this week, IOL reported that Mothibi's academic background includes a BProc law degree from the North-West University (NWU), which he obtained in 1987, and an LLB from the University of South Africa (UNISA). Furthermore, he completed an Executive Management Program at Wits Business School and undertook studies at the CAS Business School in the UK.
He began his professional journey as a public prosecutor in the magistrates' and regional courts of Johannesburg and Soweto. He gained essential courtroom experience that would lay the groundwork for his future roles. Notably, he also served on the bench as a magistrate.
He joined the then Department of Finance in 1995 as the head of employee relations. Subsequently, he was involved in the project that led to the formation of the South African Revenue Service (SARS). During his time at SARS, he held the positions of head of Corporate Legal Services and head of Governance/Chief Governance Officer.
Mothibi subsequently transitioned his expertise into risk management, where he established and led key compliance frameworks at major organisations like South African Airways (SAA) and Nedbank.
From 2012, Mothibi continued to spearhead operational risk initiatives at Standard Bank, focusing on assessments of operational risks through the development of anti-fraud and anti-money laundering scenarios. His achievements in this sector established him as a leader in operational risk management, driving structural improvements that fostered compliance and security.
Mothibi joined Medscheme Holding as an executive director. His responsibilities encompassed leading group legal services, group governance, group risk and compliance, with internal audit also reporting to him.
Since May 2016, Mothibi has directed the SIU, relentlessly pursuing investigations of maladministration and corruption within public institutions.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News