Andy Mothibi as NDPP: A strategic move or a political cover-up?

THE appointment of Andy Mothibi as the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) could be a strategic move to protect politicians, including President Cyril Ramaphosa's nephew Hangwani Maumela, who is involved in the looting of Tembisa Hospital, from prosecution.

- MANYANE MANYANE [e-mail]

Political analysts said this is a political appointment that is aimed at protecting Maumela and other politicians, including Ramaphosa himself, from being arrested and prosecuted.

Mothibi was appointed without undergoing the public interview process conducted by an advisory panel last year. The panel, led by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, interviewed six shortlisted candidates, but found that none of them were suitable for the role.

Mothibi's appointment is set to take effect on February 1, 2026, following Advocate Shamila Batohi's retirement. During his tenure as the head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Mothibi identified Maumela as the head of one of three major syndicates that siphoned more than R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital through a complex web of fraudulent tenders, inflated prices, and nonexistent deliveries.

The syndicates used shelf companies and non-compliant bidders to benefit from the funds meant for healthcare services.