NDPP interview stage announced

The recruitment process for the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has advanced to the interview stage following the conclusion of candidate screening by the Advisory Panel.

The panel, chaired by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, met on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, to finalise its review of nominated candidates.

The meeting follows a decision last week to extend the recruitment process to allow a wider pool of applicants. A call for nominations was issued through the Legal Practice Council, inviting submissions from all law bodies until 24 November 2025. The panel received a total of 32 applications and identified six candidates who met the minimum requirements for the position.

The six candidates invited to the interview stage are Adv Nicolette Astraid Bell, Adv Hermione Cronje, Adv Andrea Johnson, Adv Xolisile Jennifer Khanyile, Adv Adrian Carl Mopp, and Adv Menzi Simelane.

Adv Menzi Simelane currently practises as an advocate with the Johannesburg Society of Advocates. He has served as Special Adviser to Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, NDPP, Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Chief Legal Counsel at the Competition Commission, and Research Assistant at the Agricultural Research Council.

Adv Nicolette Astraid Bell currently serves as the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape at the National Prosecuting Authority. Her previous roles include Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in Cape Town, Senior State Advocate, State Advocate in Johannesburg, and Public Prosecutor at the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court.

Adv Hermione Cronje is a freelance international anti-corruption and asset recovery specialist. She has worked with the Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative, the European Union Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine, GlobE Network, Open Secrets, and held positions at the NPA and the University of Cape Town. She also practised as an advocate of the High Court and was a member of the Cape Bar.

Adv Andrea Johnson is currently the Investigating Director at the NPA. She has held roles including Senior Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, National Coordinator for Organised Crime, Prosecutor at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Senior State Advocate, Deputy Director at the Directorate of Special Operations, and Acting Special Director at the NPA.

Adv Xolisile Jennifer Khanyile chairs the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime. She has previously served as Director at the Financial Intelligence Centre, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Free State, Acting Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in South Gauteng, and held multiple senior positions at the NPA including in the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

Adv Adrian Carl Mopp is Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape. His career includes senior roles in Special Operations, the Asset Forfeiture Unit, Investigating Directorate for organised crime, the Auditor-General’s Office, and Public Prosecutor in Kimberley and Makhanda. He also served as a detective in the South African Police Service.

The recruitment process comes at a time when the NDPP has faced multiple challenges, including high-profile corruption cases, internal capacity constraints, and public concerns about delays in prosecuting complex matters. The selection of a new NDPP is seen as critical to restoring public confidence and ensuring the effective functioning of the NPA.

The Advisory Panel will notify candidates of interview arrangements in due course. In line with principles of transparency, comments on the suitability of the shortlisted candidates are invited from the public and institutions. Submissions should be sent to NDPPpanel@justice.gov.za by 5 December 2025. Interviews are expected to take place between 10 and 11 December 2025.

Terrence Manase, spokesperson to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, said, “The panel has carefully reviewed all applications and identified candidates who meet the requirements for the NDPP position. We encourage interested parties to provide input to ensure the process remains transparent and inclusive.”