By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) senior investigator Brian Padayachee testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridget Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane.
Before joining Idac, Padayachee worked in the police service for decades, including a stint at Crime Intelligence.
How the IDAC became involved in probing high-profile cases came into sharp focus at the Commission.
Padayachee was questioned about the organisation’s mandate as part of an investigation into whether the arrest of Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo and his co-accused Major General Nozipho Madondo falls within their scope.
He fits into the bigger picture because, as an Idac investigator, he played a key role in a case against Khumalo.
The complaints against Khumalo and other Crime Intelligence officers — which led to their arrests — were originally referred to Idac by National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams. In his referral, Adams accused Khumalo and his colleagues of being “busy with the systematic capture of the Criminal Intelligence division” by allegedly “manipulating” procurement and appointment processes.
The commission chair, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, questioned “whether the investigation [relating to Crime Intelligence officers] was pursuant to a referral that was properly grounded” — essentially, whether Adams’ complaint warranted an investigation.
Madlanga challenged Padayachee on this point, asking: “Just because Mr Adams says he suspects [something] without substantiating, then for you that’s sufficient. How can that be?”
Padayachee said he may have interpreted allegations in a certain way. He insisted that he was telling the truth.
He said there was no “political interference” relating to his work. “I’ve never received any calls or been placed under pressure,” he said.
He also reflected on KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s July 2025 press conference — the event where the allegations of drug cartel infiltration were first raised, triggering the current Madlanga Commission inquiry.
“I was applauding him,” Padayachee testified. “He is one of the best [who] address corruption and crime directly.”
Padayachee further alleged that Mkhwanazi provided him with an affidavit supporting the arrest of Khumalo, although he did not disclose its contents.
He said that after Khumalo’s arrest, Mkhwanazi had attempted to contact him and had left two missed calls.
Mkhwanazi also alleged that there was a rogue element in Idac and inferred that some Crime Intelligence officers were protecting criminals. He named crime intelligence head Feroz Khan in some of his accusations.
Padayachee testified: “I had strictly an official working relationship with him. General Khan is also a State witness in two Idac criminal cases that are pending before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court involving senior Crime Intelligence officers.”
Padaychee was the investigating officer in both those cases.
Meanwhile Fullview learnt that IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson has indicated her intention to resign following mounting pressure and recommendations that she step aside amid severe allegations of impropriety and her last-minute hospitalisation.