Andrea Johnson Concedes IDAC May Have Investigated Cases Without Proper Authorisation At Madlanga Commission

Advocate Andrea Johnson has admitted before the Madlanga Commission that investigators within the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) may have conducted corruption investigations without the necessary authorisation.

The concession came during robust questioning by commission co-chair Sesi Baloyi, who raised concerns about whether investigations had been initiated without the required legal authority or approval.

Andrea Johnson Admits IDAC Investigations May Have Lacked Authorisation

The issue arose as Baloyi questioned Johnson about IDAC's internal processes for approving investigations. She suggested that investigators may have been able to launch probes into individuals without authorisation and outside the scope of the unit's legal mandate.

"All your investigators, they may well be conducting investigations of individuals that are not authorised by you and that may possibly not be related to a subject matter with that kind of provision," Baloyi said.

"Point taken, Chair," Johnson replied.

The discussion relates to a complaint submitted by National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams against senior Crime Intelligence officials, including Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele and other officers.

Adams accused the officials of corruption, abuse of state resources, intimidation, interference and irregular appointments. However, the commission previously heard that IDAC did not have a lawful basis to investigate Khumalo and the other officials.

Madlanga Commission Hears IDAC Should Not Have Solicited Public Complaints

During her evidence, Johnson also acknowledged that IDAC was "not supposed to solicit" complaints directly from members of the public. The admission added to questions surrounding how the investigation involving the Crime Intelligence officials began.

The commission further heard that Mokwele was arrested and charged with fraud and corruption over allegations that she did not possess the qualifications required for her position.

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Johnson admitted she had never personally verified Mokwele's academic credentials before the charges were pursued.

Andrea Johnson Says She Relied On Incorrect Information From Her Team

While giving evidence, Johnson told the commission that she was unaware Mokwele was studying towards a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The inquiry also heard that Mokwele holds 12 professional certifications, including a National Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering and a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.

"I relied on the briefing from my team," Johnson told the commission. "The facts I received then were incorrect."

Johnson also withdrew her earlier description of Mokwele's appointment as a "token appointment", acknowledging that the characterisation had been inaccurate.

Her testimony comes shortly after she resigned as head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted her resignation, while the Madlanga Commission continues its hearings.