South Africa To Advertise For Next NDPP This Weekend As Panel Opens Nominations

A new seven-member advisory panel has been assembled to oversee the recruitment of the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) in South Africa. The panel is chaired by Mmamoloko Kubayi, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, and was formally appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 7 October 2025.

It includes the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, the Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, the Auditor‑General of South Africa, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, a representative of the Black Lawyers Association, and a representative of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers.

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the NDPP role is “vital … in upholding the rule of law and ensuring the efficiency and integrity of law enforcement”.

Weekend Job Advertisement with Public Nominations Open

The recruitment process is set to begin this weekend with the job advertisement for the next NDPP going live, and nominations from interested parties will be accepted alongside formal applications. The panel has set a deadline of 7 November 2025 for submissions.

Following shortlisting and vetting, public input will be invited before interviews begin on 7 December.

By law, the selection of the NDPP need not be an open process. However, President Ramaphosa has opted to repeat the more transparent model used in 2018 when the current incumbent, Shamila Batohi, was appointed.

Batohi is due to retire in January 2026, creating a narrow timeframe for the successor’s appointment.

Criticism and Expectations Surrounding the Selection Process

While there is broad support for a transparent appointment process, the selection panel has drawn criticism from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which argues that the panel lacks sufficient prosecutorial and criminal-justice expertise.

“How can a panel devoid of any prosecutorial expertise nominate candidates for the most important prosecutorial position in South Africa?” said DA spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach.

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The office of the NDPP carries a 10-year term, though no former incumbent has completed the full term.

The urgency of securing a “fit and proper” candidate has been underlined by the panel, with justice spokesman Terrence Manase stating, “Members of the panel acknowledge the significance and gravity of the task before them and are committed to diligently ensuring that a fit and proper candidate is appointed to this important position.”

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