IDAC - Keep Informed Africa

IDAC boss Andrea Johnson resigns with immediate effect

Staff Reporter — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 05:04:02 +0000

South Africa - President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted the request by Investigative Director Against Corruption (IDAC) Advocate Andrea Johnson to vacate the office with immediate effect. This comes after Johnson directed her request for an immediate release from the office to the National Director of Public Prosecutions and President Ramaphosa. According to Johnson, the past five months have been challenging and the attacks on both her personal, and official capacity have been unprecedented. She added that the attacks against her arise out of the cases IDAC has conducted against officials of Crime Intelligence. These, she says, have brought an extreme amount of negative attention to her, IDAC and the NPA. The President’s agreement follows a recommendation by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, and supported by National Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Andy Mothibi, that Adv Johnson’s request be granted. President Ramaphosa thanked Adv Johnson for her years of service in the NPA and as the head of IDAC. The President assures the leadership and staff of the NPA of government’s unwavering support for its work in the fight against crime and corruption. In 2004 she was appointed a deputy director of public prosecutions at the Directorate of Special Operations, the Scorpions, where she served until the unit was disbanded in 2009. In 2022 she succeeded advocate Hermione Cronje as head of the Investigating Directorate, which was later given permanence and renamed IDAC. She was also a contender for the position of national director of public prosecutions. Her exit follows a bruising stretch at the Madlanga Commission, she continues to give evidence at the Inquiry today.

Padayachee rejects Mkhwanazi claims at the Madlanga Commission

siteadmin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:31:28 +0000

Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) Senior Investigator, Colonel Brian Padayachee has dismissed Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s claims that he influenced investigations which include the criminal charges against Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo. On Tuesday, 14 July Padayachee testified before the Madlanga Commission, and he described the allegations as baseless and he insisted he was not involved in any alleged faction accused of manipulating cases. "I deny these allegations. They are baseless and devoid of merit. The IDAC has sufficient evidence to sustain the charges in the criminal case against Khumalo and other officials at Crime Intelligence," Padayachee said. He told the commission the matter remains before the Pretoria Magistrate's Court and said suggestions that the investigation was driven by hidden agendas or political motives were false. "I deny as baseless any allegations of political interference or hidden agendas in respect of the investigations conducted by the IDAC against these senior officers within Crime Intelligence and SAPS," he said. Khumalo was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on June 26, 2025, on fraud and corruption charges linked to the alleged appointment of 30-year-old civilian Dineo Mokwele to a senior brigadier position in the SAPS Technical Support Services unit. Khumalo clarified at the commission that the unit was not looking for a traditional career cop but rather someone fit for the role. He argued Mokwele was highly qualified in mechatronics and industrial engineering (skills she used as an engineer at BMW), which made her uniquely suited to handle covert technological operations. The state alleged Khumalo and six co-accused ignored mandatory vetting and background checks to fast-track the appointment. Khumalo is currently out of bail and arrest warrants have been put on hold pending an independent review by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)

IDAC Head Andrea Johnson takes the stand at Madlanga Commision

siteadmin — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 06:05:24 +0000

Investigation Directorate for Allegations of Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson is expected to take the stand at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, 14 July at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. Three witnesses have so far implicated IDAC head in compromising investigations into a case in which Crime Intelligence deputy head Major General Feroz Khan is accused of assault. Johnson has been implicated in allegations of interference and defeating the ends of justice in a matter involving Khan. The allegations date back from an incident that occurred in 2018 where it is alleged that Khan intimidated and assaulted a Crime Intelligence official, Brigadier Phetle. On Friday, the commission heard allegations that senior IDAC investigator Sunil Belochan extorted money from Pakistani shopkeepers in the Eastern Cape from the early 2000s. Witness N, a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team, told the Commission that Belochan allegedly demanded regular protection payments from Pakistani business owners who lacked the necessary documentation or business permits. She further testified that one of the shopkeepers, Asif Mohammed, questioned how a person with an outstanding warrant of arrest could be appointed to the IDAC. Dennis Bloem, spokesperson for the Activists and Citizens Forum, voiced his outrage over the allegations that emerged on Friday and called for reforms. He questioned the integrity of IDAC and its leadership. “What we have heard from the evidence of Witnesses O and N is extremely serious and needs immediate action. We have called multiple times for the disbandment of IDAC, as we believe this unit is a threat to the security and stability of the country,” he said. “Her credibility and integrity are badly damaged. She does not enjoy the public's confidence,” he added.