Court challenge to halt President Ramaphosa's NDPP appointment process:
B Xulu and Partners have launched a critical court application to block President Cyril ...
iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-12-30-court-challenge-to-halt-president-ramaphosas-ndpp-appointment-process/
Photo: iol.co.za · view article
Legal Battle Over South Africa's NDPP AppointmentLaw firm seeks to halt NDPP appointment by January 2026, citing biased process and alleged confidential info leaks by candidate Cronje.
Key FactsDec 30, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- B Xulu and Partners filed an urgent application at the Gauteng High Court to block the appointment of the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
- The lawsuit argues the advisory panel failed to properly consider objections against candidate Hermione Cronje, rendering the selection process biased and unlawful.
- Cronje is accused of unlawfully sharing confidential state information during her 2020 leadership of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate, an issue allegedly ignored during the interviews.
- Respondents have until December 31, 2025, to respond, while the Justice Department plans to oppose the application as premature and lacking urgency.
While the NPA faced a crisis, it was 'eminently fixable'.— Advocate Hermione Cronje defended her professional record by highlighting the challenges she faced at the National Prosecuting Authority.
Story Details
| Last Updated | |
| Total Articles | 2 |
Main Topics
Similar to This
Previous
BBC Oct 07
Test cricket's biggest scandals: Your top 10 revealed: See what BBC Sport readers voted as Test cricket's biggest scandals, together with contributions from the ...
bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cv4g176nr2g6o
EWN Mar 31
Barnabas Xulu to appeal court ruling on Andy Mothibi’s NPA appointment: Barnabas Xulu claims Hermione Cronje was sharing internal information with an external ...
ewn.co.za/2026/03/31/barnabas-xulu-to-appeal-court-ruling-on-andy-mothibi-s-npa-appointment
State blocks disclosure in Mothibi’s NPA appointment case: Court reserves judgment as president’s legal team defends non-disclosure of appointment records
timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-03-19-state-blocks-disclosure-in-mothibis-npa-appointment-case/
Advocate Mothibi to start NDPP duties despite legal battle: Advocate Andy Mothibi's upcoming role as National Director of Public Prosecutions is under threat as ...
iol.co.za/news/2026-01-31-advocate-mothibi-to-start-ndpp-duties-despite-legal-battle/
Concerns over Andy Mothibi's appointment as NPA boss amid allegations of political shielding
iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-01-14-concerns-over-andy-mothibis-appointment-as-npa-boss-amid-allegations-of-political-shielding/
OpinionRamaphosa’s NDPP curveball exposes risky power and fuels transparency appointment reforms
dailymaverick.co.za/article/presidents-ndpp-curveball-exposes-risky-power-and-fuels-appointment-transparency/
/file/attachments/orphans/grootes_821105.jpg)
Key FactsRamaphosa’s Appointment Reveals Risks in Power Structure
Jan 12, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
- President Ramaphosa appointed Andy Mothibi as NDPP without including him in the publicly conducted interview panel.
- The selection panel lacked appropriate expertise and made legally questionable decisions, undermining the process.
- Concentrated presidential power allows appointments without transparency, echoing past controversial practices.
- Legal reforms are needed to secure future appointments and prevent misuse of authority within prosecutorial institutions.
It would be 'career-limiting' to argue with or disobey now-sidelined police minister Senzo Mchunu’s 'instruction' to shut down the Political Killings Task Team.— This comment illustrates how political control works in the SAPS.
DA seeks NDPP panel report through PAIA after Ramaphosa refuses to release it: The Democratic Alliance has filed a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) ...
ebx.sh/kekNcn
The Citizen Jan 12
DA files court application to force Ramaphosa to release NDPP selection process report
citizen.co.za/news/da-files-court-application-force-ramaphosa-release-ndpp-selection-process-report/
Key FactsDA Demands Release of NDPP Selection Report
Jan 12, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
- The DA filed a legal application to compel President Ramaphosa to disclose the NDPP selection report.
- An advisory panel appointed by Ramaphosa interviewed six candidates, including former NDPP Menzi Simelane, but found no suitable person.
- Ramaphosa appointed Advocate Andy Mothibi as NDPP despite him not being interviewed by the panel.
- The DA argues that withholding the report undermines transparency and questions the legality of the appointment process.
South Africans are entitled to see the NDPP advisory panel report.— Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, expresses concerns about the flawed appointment process.
New NPA boss Mothibi in hot seat: Incoming NDPP lauded for his anti-corruption record as head of the SIU while critics see red
mg.co.za/news/2026-01-09-new-npa-boss-mothibi-in-hot-seat/
OpinionNDPP appointment is a good outcome to a deeply flawed process: The appointment of the SIU head Andy Mothibi as the next NPA boss is a solid one — but we still ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/ndpp-appointment-is-a-good-outcome-to-a-deeply-flawed-process/
/file/attachments/orphans/00002707291_904068.jpg)
Key FactsOpposition questions Andy Mothibi’s appointment to lead NPA
Jan 7, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: mg.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: mg.co.za
- The presidency announced the appointment on Tuesday after an advisory panel found none of the shortlisted candidates suitable, while Mothibi had not been shortlisted.
- Law firm B Xulu & Partners Incorporated filed an application in December at the North Gauteng High Court to halt the appointment pending a review of the process and the release of the full record.
- The EFF and DA criticised the president’s discretion and questioned the NPA’s independence, while the ANC defended the appointment as constitutional.
- The MK party urged Mothibi to act urgently against Hangwani Maumela, a distant family connection of Ramaphosa whom it linked to the alleged diversion of R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital.
The independence of the NDPP begins with the integrity of the appointment process. Where that process is disputed, confidence in the prosecuting authority is compromised.— Nhlamulo Ndhlela, MK party spokesperson, commenting on the independence of the NDPP and the integrity of the appointment process
eNCA Jan 07
Ramaphosa confident NDPP appointment process won’t be delayed: President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Andy Mothibi as South Africa’s new National ...
enca.com/news-top-stories/ramaphosa-confident-ndpp-appointment-process-wont-be-delayed
Key FactsAndy Mothibi Confirmed as New NDPP
Jan 7, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: enca.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: enca.com
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Andy Mothibi as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions.
- Mothibi’s appointment will take effect on February 1, 2026, despite a current court challenge to the process.
- A legal firm filed an urgent application to block the appointment of Shamila Batohi’s successor, which the President has addressed.
- Mothibi’s background includes leadership at the Special Investigating Unit and experience as a prosecutor, magistrate, and senior legal executive.
I’ve been applying my mind. We will be acting to the recommendations that have been put forward to me.— President Cyril Ramaphosa discusses the appointment process for the new National Director of Public Prosecutions.
OpinionLegal fireworks ahead as old tensions resurface between lawyer Barnabas Xulu and Hermione Cronje
dailymaverick.co.za/article/legal-fireworks-ahead-as-old-tensions-resurface-between-lawyer-barnabas-xulu-and/
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Thamm-Xulu-judgemnt1.jpg)
The NPA is fixable, but only if we confront the crisis, says Hermione Cronje : Advocate Xolisile Khanyile, advocate Hermione Cronje and advocate Menzi Simelane ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-12-11-the-npa-is-fixable-but-only-if-we-confront-the-crisis-says-hermione-cronje/
/file/attachments/orphans/tori-intervews2_922767.jpg)
NDPP hot seat: Cronje pins blame for NPA woes on Menzi Simelane : Simelane and Nomgcobo Jiba influenced appointment of junior staff at Asset Forfeiture Unit ...
timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-12-12-ndpp-hot-seat-cronje-pins-blame-for-npa-woes-on-menzi-simelane/
Six lawyers make shortlist for prosecutions boss after Batohi: Hermione Cronje, Andrea Johnson and Menzi Simelane among candidates for NDPP job
timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-11-27-six-lawyers-make-shortlist-for-prosecutions-boss-after-batohi/
Next