PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The push for disbanding IDAC (the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption) is gaining momentum as civil society group Accountability Now demands the creation of a fully independent Chapter 9 anti-corruption body. This urgent call to action arrives amidst escalating clashes between the state’s corruption unit and top law enforcement figures, highlighting the need for an executive-free agency.
The latest institutional friction erupted when Crime Intelligence head General Dumisani Khumalo filed a formal grievance against the directorate. His complaint stems from an aborted arrest warrant that was previously issued against him.
Paul Hoffman, Director of Accountability Now, argues that the ongoing spectacle at the Brooklyn Police Station underscores a systemic failure in the country’s law enforcement architecture. According to Hoffman, judicial precedents clearly mandate that corruption must be tackled by an entity entirely free from executive influence to operate efficiently.
Since the dismantling of the Scorpions—voted out in December 2007 and officially closed in early 2009—South Africa has struggled to find a viable anti-corruption model. The Hawks were introduced to handle serious offenses but remain tethered to the Ministry of Police. Subsequently, IDAC was established under the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Hoffman points out that having two separate entities—the Hawks and IDAC—working on corruption has inevitably bred institutional rivalry. He drew parallels to the turbulent era when former Police Minister Bheki Cele allegedly sought to shield associates like Glenn Agliotti and Jacob Zuma from the Scorpions.
To eliminate this structural conflict, Hoffman is championing the establishment of a unified Chapter 9 anti-corruption commission. He clarifies that this shouldn’t merely be a merger of the Hawks and IDAC. Instead, it requires building a specialized agency from the ground up, staffed by properly vetted experts with secure tenure. He suggests drawing top talent from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU)—a presidential entity renowned for its highly compensated, high-quality personnel dedicated to recovering state loot.
Addressing how to shield this new body from political meddling, Hoffman cited Justice Cameron’s ruling in the third Glenister case. The judgment outlines that a rigorous appointment process can filter out unsuitable candidates, ensuring only those with unimpeachable integrity and accountability lead the charge. Crucially, a Chapter 9 entity would report directly to a multi-party parliament, entirely circumventing the cabinet.
Why has the government historically resisted this independence? Hoffman attributes it to the National Democratic Revolution’s ideological drive for the executive to maintain hegemonic control over all state levers. He noted that Parliament lacked teeth until the formation of a coalition government in May 2024. He highlighted the dangers of executive overreach by pointing to the Minister of Police’s meddling in the political killings task team—an interference that sparked the Mkhwanazi complaints. Hoffman emphasized that political killings are deeply rooted in corruption, meaning a truly independent Chapter 9 body is essential to address the root cause without a minister pulling the strings.
Realizing this vision requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority to pass the pending anti-corruption commission bills, alongside a constitutional amendment. Hoffman estimates a timeline of roughly two years for this political and legislative process, though he admits that is an optimistic projection given the lengthy process it took to dissolve the Scorpions.
Despite the hurdles, Hoffman is hopeful that the current coalition cabinet—which includes members from the party that initially sponsored the Chapter 9 bills—will recognize the necessity of this reform, aligning with the President’s broader institutional reform agenda.
However, if the legislative route stalls, Accountability Now is prepared to litigate. Hoffman confirmed they would approach the courts to have IDAC declared an unconstitutional body, compelling the government to repair the defect in the country’s constitutional structure.
On a lighter note, when asked for a sports prediction regarding the Bafana Bafana match against Canada, Hoffman confidently predicted a 3-1 victory for the South African team.