GAUTENG – The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) is undergoing a major structural overhaul following explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission, prompting the suspension of senior officials and a comprehensive review of high-profile cases. National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi have instituted a strict six-month turnaround plan to restore the integrity and legislative focus of the anti-corruption entity.
The restructuring follows testimony from IDAC State Advocate Drushanta Ramsamy, who alleged that former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson orchestrated the use of the directorate to target specific individuals, including suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and other senior law enforcement officials. In response to these allegations of institutional compromise, Minister Kubayi confirmed the immediate suspension of three senior IDAC employees: Chief Investigator Dylan Perumal, alongside senior investigators Sunil Berkhan and Brian Padayachee.
Advocate Mothibi addressed the media, emphasizing that while IDAC remains a critical government entity mandated to investigate serious and complex crimes such as fraud and forgery, its operational focus had veered from its statutory purpose. He confirmed that several cases, including those involving Crime Intelligence (CI) officials such as General Khumalo and a senior brigadier, have been provisionally withdrawn and are currently under formal review. Furthermore, the NDPP is actively reviewing the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) charges against General Masemola to determine their validity based on the commission’s findings.
Despite Advocate Johnson’s recent resignation, the NDPP clarified that she is not immune from accountability. Advocate Mothibi stated that if evidence indicates criminal conduct, criminal prosecution will be pursued. A specific case, previously highlighted in public reports at the Madlanga Commission, has already been assigned a prosecutor to guide the investigation, after which the docket will be presented for a formal decision. Additionally, civil action is being assessed pending the availability of the commission’s full report, and Johnson has been referred to the Legal Practice Council for professional regulatory accountability.
Minister Kubayi also revealed that a broader policy review of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act is underway. This review includes proposals to ensure that the head of the Investigating Directorate holds a fixed-term appointment rather than a permanent position, thereby enhancing oversight and preventing future institutional capture.
Looking ahead, the vetting process for a new acting head of IDAC is currently underway, with an official appointment expected to be announced in the coming week. The NDPP and the Department of Justice remain committed to ensuring that the directorate fulfills its mandate, including examining the outcomes of the Zondo, Mombati, and Ntuli commissions, while decisively holding any complicit individuals accountable.
