Parliament's justice committee welcomes Mothibi's appointment as new NPA boss

Parliament’s justice committee welcomed the appointment of Advocate Andy Mothibi to head the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

It said the appointment, announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday evening, came at a critical time when strengthening the criminal justice system remained central to restoring public confidence in the state’s ability to uphold the rule of law and combat corruption.

However, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach said she was concerned Mothibi might not have enough time to make meaningful changes to the beleaguered institution before he too reached retirement age.

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Mothibi will assume the role in February, with Ramaphosa still yet to permanently fill three posts of deputy national directors of public prosecutions.

As head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for almost 10 years, Andy Mothibi is no stranger to the justice committee, having reported regularly to portfolio committees across the board on the work of the anti-corruption agency.

He has also been known to put pressure on the NPA to prosecute cases stemming from SIU investigations.

Justice committee chairperson Xola Nqola said he expected Mothibi to prioritise efficiency, integrity and transparency at the NPA.

"We have confidence that he will turn things around as it relates to the work of the National Prosecuting Authority,"

However, former prosecutor-turned-MP Glynnis Breytenbach is cautiously optimistic.

She said while Mothibi’s skills and capabilities stood him in good stead for the job, time might not be on his side to implement the necessary reforms before he was also forced to retire within the next three years.

Current NPA head Shamila Batohi reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65 this month, having served seven years of a 10-year term.

Last month, Deputy National Director Anton du Plessis resigned. Former Deputy National Director and head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), Ouma Rabatji-Rasethaba, retired in September.

Sibongile Mzinyathi has been acting as the third national deputy director following the sudden death of Rodney de Kock a year ago.