Ramaphosa names new South Africa chief prosecutor to fight graft

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Lekgoa Mothibi as the nation’s new chief prosecutor, elevating him to a pivotal role in the fight against entrenched graft and organised crime.

Mothibi takes charge of a National Prosecuting Authority that has been criticised for failing to secure convictions in major corruption cases, despite a years-long commission of inquiry exposing graft at the highest levels of government. The NPA’s struggles have undermined public confidence in the justice system and intensified pressure on Ramaphosa to demonstrate he is serious about tackling corruption.

Mothibi, who currently heads the Special Investigating Unit, will start on February 1, replacing Shamila Batohi whose term ends at the end of the month, the presidency said in a statement on Monday.

Leonard Lekgetho, the current chief operating officer of the SIU, will become the unit’s acting head, according to the statement.

© 2026 Bloomberg

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