News
South Africa’s Next NPA Boss: The Six Candidates Now in the Spotlight
The race to lead the NPA is heating up
As 2025 draws to a close, South Africa’s law-enforcement community is turning its attention to the future of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The advisory panel overseen by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has sifted through 32 applications and narrowed the field to six candidates. Their mission: find the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), the person who will steer the country’s prosecutorial agenda.
The shortlist includes familiar names as well as relative newcomers. One name, in particular, is sure to stir debate: Menzi Simelane. Once removed from the role under a cloud of controversy, he could now be poised for a remarkable return.
Meet the contenders
Menzi Simelane, a comeback bid after 13 years
Simelane once held the NDPP role between 2009 and 2012. His appointment by the president attracted fierce scrutiny, culminating in a Constitutional Court decision that invalidated it. Thirteen years on, he’s seeking a second chance.
Currently practising as an advocate with the Johannesburg Society of Advocates, his resume includes stints as a special adviser to a former justice minister, director-general at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, chief legal counsel at the Competition Commission, and even early-career work at the Agricultural Research Council.
Whether South Africans view his return as redemption or retrial remains to be seen.
Nicolette Astraid Bell, prosecutor-in-the-trenches
Bell brings steady prosecution experience. She currently serves as the director of public prosecutions for the NPA in the Western Cape. Her past roles include deputy director positions in Cape Town, senior state advocate in Johannesburg, and public prosecutor in Krugersdorp. Her name suggests continuity: a figure deeply familiar with the hard work of prosecuting crime across provinces.
Hermione Cronje, global take on corruption and asset recovery
Cronje stands out for her international exposure. As a freelance consultant, she has worked on anti-corruption and asset recovery projects, including with international development bodies and NGOs. Her prior roles at the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, investigating directorate, and even as a regional head make her a strong candidate for those seeking fresh thinking, especially around financial crime and asset tracing.
Andrea Johnson, seasoned NPA operator
Johnson is the current investigating director at the NPA. She has served as senior deputy director of public prosecutions, worked with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as a prosecutor, and held leadership roles at the Directorate of Special Operations. Her track record suggests institutional knowledge and experience in tackling organised crime.
Xolisile Jennifer Khanyile, financial crime specialist with wide reach
Khanyile chairs the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime and has held significant roles, including director of the Financial Intelligence Centre, director of public prosecutions in the Free State, acting deputy national NDPP, and head of the NPA’s Public Prosecutions Service. She has also served in South Gauteng as acting DPP and worked in the Asset Forfeiture Unit. Her specialised background in financial investigations might appeal to those pushing for a crackdown on money laundering and corruption.
Adrian Carl Mopp, former detective turned prosecutor
Mopp currently acts as deputy director of public prosecutions in the Western Cape. His previous experience is diverse: regional head for special operations, roles in the Asset Forfeiture Unit, and earlier work as a detective with the police. He has also chaired the KwaZulu-Natal Tax Board and served on a municipal bids appeal tribunal. His blend of law enforcement and prosecutorial credentials could appeal to those who favour boots-on-the-ground leadership.
What happens next
The panel is expected to interview shortlisted candidates around 10 and 11 December 2025. Interested parties and organisations are invited to submit comments on any of the names before 5 December 2025. This call for public input suggests a desire for transparency.
Whoever emerges from the interviews will carry substantial responsibility. Since the departure of Shamila Batohi, the NPA has faced rising public pressure to deliver on high-profile corruption and organised crime prosecutions. That means the next NDPP must be ready to steer a deeply politicised, high-stakes ship.
Why this matters to South Africa
For many South Africans, the NPA is more than just a government agency: it is the bulwark between justice and impunity. The choice of NDPP will shape how the country confronts corruption, organised crime, and financial wrongdoing over the coming years.
The return of Menzi Simelane signals a possible shift back to familiar patterns. Meanwhile, candidates like Cronje or Khanyile represent a push for new perspectives on financial crime and asset recovery. For communities across our country, from townships to suburbs, from boardrooms to courtrooms, the 10-11 December interviews matter. Because the person appointed will have a real impact on how justice is delivered or denied.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter, TikT
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: News24
