Six candidates shortlisted to succeed NPA head Shamila Batohi

Controversial former National Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Menzi Simelane wants another stab at the job, after his appointment was ruled invalid by a court in 2012.

He’s among six candidates shortlisted to succeed Shamila Batohi, who retires in January.

The head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDEC), Andrea Johnson, and her predecessor, Hermione Cronje, are also among the candidates announced by a selection panel appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This is the second time Ramaphosa is allowing a panel to interview and make recommendations to him on who should lead the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

According to the Constitution, it’s the president’s sole prerogative to make the appointment.

A week ago, the panel, headed by the justice minister, reopened the process after only 6 of the 27 applications met the criteria.

On Thursday, the panel said it had considered a total of 32 applications and shortlisted six candidates.

They include the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Nicolette Bell, and her deputy, Adrian Mopp.

Former Director of Public Prosecutions in the Free State and former director of the Financial Intelligence Centre, currently the chair of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime, Xolisile Khanyile rounds out the list.

Justice spokesperson Terrence Manase said the recruitment process is ready to head to the interview stage.

“The panel noted that this represents an important step towards ensuring a transparent, credible and inclusive process.”

The public is now invited to make submissions on the shortlist before interviews are due to be held on 10 December.