Webinar: The appointment of the NDPP [14 August 2025]

No constitutional appointment in South Africa deserves the description of “poisoned chalice” more than the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). As the ultimate veto-holder and responsibility-bearer over all criminal prosecutions and the operation of the National Prosecuting Authority, the NDPP holds the weight of expectation of a country struggling under the burden of past and present corruption and crime.

https://dullahomarinstitute.org.za/events/webinar-the-appointment-of-the-ndpp-14-august-2025
Webinar: The appointment of the NDPP [14 August 2025]
2025-08-14T10:00:00+02:00
2025-08-14T11:30:00+02:00
No constitutional appointment in South Africa deserves the description of “poisoned chalice” more than the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). As the ultimate veto-holder and responsibility-bearer over all criminal prosecutions and the operation of the National Prosecuting Authority, the NDPP holds the weight of expectation of a country struggling under the burden of past and present corruption and crime.

What ACJR Event
When 14 Aug, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (Africa/Johannesburg / UTC200)
Where Zoom
Contact Name Crystal Nitsckie
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The NPA must hold to account those involved in corruption and criminality, both inside and outside of government. Accountability is fundamental to the rule of law, a founding value in the Constitution.

The incumbent NDPP, Shamila Batohi was appointed in December 2018. Batohi must vacate office in January 2026. Her appointment and relatively stable tenure followed a series of tumultuous, compromised or short tenures, after the resignation of Bulelani Ngucka in July 2004. She was the first NDPP appointed through a transparent and consultative process.

While civil society is virtually unanimous that a similar process should ideally already have been legislated for all future appointments of an NDPP, there has thus far been no legislation forthcoming and nor has the President announced a consultative, transparent process, despite time running out on Batohi’s tenure. What selection process should be followed, and what are the qualities and qualifications required of an NDPP?

Jean Redpath, Senior Researcher at the Dullah Omar Institute, will consider lessons learnt from the previous process, requirements, candidates, and outcomes, and similar processes in other countries.

Hermione Cronje, former head of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate and former member of the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), will discuss the skills and qualities necessary for this daunting role, and give her views on an appropriate selection process and candidature.

They will be in discussion with Lukas Muntingh, Director of the Dullah Omar Institute.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Following registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We would like to acknowledge the Open Society Foundations and the Sigrid Rausing Trust for making this webinar possible.