South African Government Launches Idac Overhaul Following Madlanga Commission Revelations

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced a comprehensive six month reset of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) following the resignation of its head, advocate Andrea Johnson. The overhaul includes the suspension of three senior investigators, Dylan Perumal, Brian Padayachee, and Suneel Bellochun, pending disciplinary action. Minister Kubayi stated that the government will conduct lifestyle audits of all 146 employees, review all current cases, and appoint a new acting head from outside the current leadership to restore public trust.

The reset follows testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry from Idac prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy. Ramsamy alleged that Johnson and Perumal used the directorate's tools to launch an orchestrated attack against National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo. Ramsamy provided a recording in which Johnson allegedly advised her to leave the country if called to testify and described the commission as a shitshow. Further allegations emerged that Johnson ignored standard operating procedures and manipulated affidavits to target police leadership.

National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi confirmed that Johnson remains under criminal investigation despite her resignation. The NPA is also reviewing the criminal case against General Masemola, who was charged with breaching the Public Finance Management Act. Evidence at the commission suggested Masemola acted on an audit report more promptly than Idac had previously claimed.

Separately, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema addressed the commission's findings during a press conference. Malema denied allegations that he shielded Feroz Khan, a suspended deputy head of Crime Intelligence, from appearing before a parliamentary committee. He also clarified that his previous praise for Andrea Johnson was based on her parliamentary presentations and was unrelated to the misconduct allegations that emerged during the commission.