Andy Mothibi is a South African lawyer and anti-corruption specialist who serves as the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) and head of the National Prosecuting Authority. He officially assumed office on 1 February 2026 following his appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Before becoming NDPP, Mothibi led the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for nearly a decade and was widely credited with strengthening the institution’s anti-corruption efforts.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Jan Lekgoa Mothibi |
|---|---|
| Known As | Andy Mothibi |
| Year of Birth | c. 1963 |
| Age | 63 years old |
| Place of Birth | Near Hammanskraal, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Profession | Lawyer, Advocate, Public Servant |
| Current Position | National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) |
| Organization | National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) |
| Previous Position | Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) |
| Qualification | BProc Degree |
| University | North-West University |
Early Life
Andy Mothibi was born near Hammanskraal in Gauteng, South Africa.
He completed his high school education in Zeerust, North West Province, during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
From an early age, he displayed an interest in law, governance, and public service, which would later shape his professional career.
Education
Mothibi attended North-West University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Procurationis (BProc) degree in 1987.
The BProc qualification was one of South Africa’s primary legal qualifications before being replaced by the LLB degree.
His legal training laid the foundation for a career that would span the justice system, public administration, risk management, compliance, and anti-corruption investigations.
Early Legal Career
After qualifying in law, Mothibi worked within South Africa’s justice system as:
- Public Prosecutor
- Regional Court Prosecutor
- Magistrate
He served in:
- Johannesburg Magistrates Court
- Johannesburg Regional Court
- Soweto Magistrates Court
These positions provided him with extensive experience in criminal justice and prosecution.
Building SARS
In 1995, Mothibi joined the then Department of Finance.
He became part of the team responsible for establishing the South African Revenue Service (SARS), one of the most significant public sector reforms in post-apartheid South Africa.
During his time at SARS, he headed corporate services and governance functions and contributed to strengthening administrative systems within the institution.
Corporate Leadership Career
Before returning to public service leadership, Mothibi built an impressive executive career in the private sector.
South African Airways
In 2005, he joined South African Airways as Head of Compliance.
He was responsible for implementing enterprise-wide compliance and risk management frameworks.
Nedbank
In 2007, Mothibi joined Nedbank as Senior Manager of Enterprise Risk Management.
Within months, he was promoted to General Manager of Group Operational Risk Management.
Standard Bank
In 2012, he moved to Standard Bank as Head of Operational Risk Management.
His responsibilities included:
- Operational risk assessment
- Anti-fraud strategies
- Anti-money laundering controls
- Enterprise risk management
Medscheme Holdings
In 2013, Mothibi became Executive Director of Medscheme Holdings.
This role further strengthened his leadership experience in governance, compliance, and corporate management.
Head of the SIU
In May 2016, Mothibi was appointed Head of the Special Investigating Unit.
The SIU investigates:
- Corruption
- Fraud
- Maladministration
- Irregular expenditure
- Misconduct involving state institutions
Achievements at the SIU
Under Mothibi’s leadership, the SIU became one of South Africa’s most active anti-corruption institutions.
Major investigations included:
- Eskom
- Transnet
- Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)
- National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
- Tembisa Hospital investigations
The SIU reported billions of rand in recoveries, savings, and prevented losses under his leadership.
Appointment as NDPP
On 6 January 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Mothibi’s appointment as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions.
He officially assumed office on 1 February 2026, succeeding Shamila Batohi.
The appointment was viewed as a significant move in South Africa’s efforts to strengthen the criminal justice system and combat corruption.
Vision for the NPA
Since becoming NDPP, Mothibi has emphasized:
- Prosecutorial independence
- Institutional reform
- Accountability
- Improved governance
- Enhanced investigative capacity
He has advocated for legislative changes that would provide the NPA with greater administrative and financial independence.
According to Mothibi, strengthening the NPA’s autonomy is critical for rebuilding public trust and improving prosecutorial effectiveness.
Leadership Style
Throughout his career, Mothibi has developed a reputation for:
- Ethical leadership
- Strong governance practices
- Accountability
- Risk management expertise
- Anti-corruption advocacy
His unique combination of legal, corporate, and public-sector experience distinguishes him from many previous leaders in South Africa’s justice sector.
Legacy
Andy Mothibi’s career spans nearly four decades across law, public administration, corporate governance, compliance, risk management, and anti-corruption investigations.
From helping establish SARS to leading the SIU and ultimately becoming South Africa’s National Director of Public Prosecutions, he has played a significant role in strengthening key public institutions.
Conclusion
Advocate Andy Mothibi is one of South Africa’s most experienced legal and governance professionals. His appointment as National Director of Public Prosecutions marks the latest chapter in a distinguished career dedicated to accountability, clean governance, and the fight against corruption. With extensive experience across both the public and private sectors, he faces the important task of strengthening the National Prosecuting Authority and restoring public confidence in South Africa’s criminal justice system.