The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticized the composition of a panel appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to interview candidates for the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
The panel will be led by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and includes the heads of the SA Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality, the Public Service Commission, the Auditor-General, and representatives from two lawyers’ associations.
DA Member of Parliament Glynnis Breytenbach, a former prosecutor, stated that the panel’s major shortcoming is its lack of criminal justice and prosecutorial expertise. She questioned how a panel without this specific legal background can effectively nominate candidates for the country’s top prosecutorial role.
The new NDPP will replace Shamila Batohi, who is reaching retirement age. The panel has been given a three-month deadline to shortlist, interview, and submit three names to the president for final consideration.