PRETORIA, Gauteng — The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has officially ordered IDAC lifestyle audits for its prosecutors and investigators, marking a decisive step in a broader strategy to root out internal corruption. The directive forms the cornerstone of a major six-month integrity reset aimed at restoring public trust and reinforcing accountability within South Africa’s primary anti-corruption units.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the development, detailing how the audits will be executed and providing critical updates on high-profile cases currently before the courts.
Expanding the Audit Framework
The lifestyle audits are not an isolated reaction but part of a comprehensive national corruption risk and prevention framework. According to Kganyago, the initiative initially targeted the NPA’s Executive Committee (EXCO) and management, comprising 29 officials, under the leadership of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Following recent internal developments within the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), the mandate has now expanded to the directorate’s legal and investigative staff.
“At the beginning, the number of EXCO and management was 29, but now with the addition of IDAC, the numbers are not yet clear,” Kganyago explained. “However, all we know is that it will apply to all the people doing investigations and prosecutions. All in all, it will be more than 50 people.”
A Six-Month Reset for Credibility
The NPA has established a strict six-month timeframe to complete the IDAC reset. Kganyago emphasized that the lifestyle audits are just one element of this broader overhaul, which includes the appointment of an acting investigating director.
The primary objective is to ensure that the public can trust the outcomes produced by the NPA and IDAC. “If people do not believe that there is credibility in IDAC or in the NPA, they will not believe in the outcomes that come out of there,” Kganyago noted. He stressed that the reset is designed to weed out compromised individuals and return the institution to its core mandate, emphasizing that the directorate itself is sound, but specific individuals must be removed.
Addressing Former Officials and Unexplained Wealth
A key challenge in the audit process involves former officials, specifically former IDAC head Andrea Johnson. Kganyago clarified that Johnson was already undergoing a lifestyle audit as part of the EXCO process before her departure.
While enforcing an audit post-resignation is legally complex due to the severed employment relationship, the NPA retains alternative mechanisms. Kganyago confirmed that the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) can still be utilized to recover unexplained wealth. Furthermore, the IDAC judge remains available to investigate any emerging allegations, and matters of a criminal nature will be pursued through standard criminal proceedings.
Major General Shadrack Sibeya: Escape Risks and Witness Intimidation
In a separate but related update, Kganyago addressed the ongoing case of Major General Shadrack Sibeya, against whom the state is actively opposing bail.
The Major General was recently transferred to the Josim Muru facility rather than a standard holding cell or Sun City prison near the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. Kganyago revealed that this strategic move was driven by actionable intelligence indicating a high risk of escape if Sibeya were held in standard facilities.
More concerning, however, was the intelligence regarding witness intimidation. Kganyago disclosed that the prosecution team received reports of threatening messages sent to witnesses, including minors, just an hour and a half before their scheduled 3:00 PM court appearance.
Protecting Vulnerable Witnesses
The allegations against Major General Sibeya involve a minor and an 18-year-old. In light of the intimidation tactics, the NPA has prioritized the safety of these vulnerable individuals.
“The investigating team together with the prosecuting team have put measures in place,” Kganyago stated. He confirmed that the protection of the minors is a serious concern, as they are the main witnesses in the matter and must be kept safe from secondary victimization to ensure they can testify when the trial commences.
Through these aggressive internal audits and the steadfast prosecution of high-profile figures, the NPA aims to demonstrate a renewed commitment to integrity and the rule of law in South Africa.
