The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) has described President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Andy Mothibi as the next National Director of Public Prosecutions as unexpected.

The announcement was made on Tuesday and will take effect on February 1, following the conclusion of Shamila Batohi’s tenure.

Last month, an advisory panel interviewed six candidates for the position but reported to the president that none were suitable. CASAC Executive Secretary Lawson Naidoo welcomed Mothibi’s appointment, describing him as a “seasoned operator within the criminal justice system” with a track record that could help restore public confidence in the National Prosecuting Authority.

However, Naidoo expressed concern over the process. “It would have been preferable for the President to ask the panel to reconsider or conduct additional interviews before making the appointment,” he said, highlighting questions about transparency in selecting the country’s top prosecutor.

–ChannelAfrica–