By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Investigative Directorate Against Corruption head Advocate Andrea Johnson was back at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness stand on Wednesday, 22 July 2006.
Johnson faced intense questioning about her office having “solicited” an affidavit from a politician, National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams.
The affidavit essentially sparked a series of events that led to the controversial 2025 arrests of Crime Intellengence officers, including the unit’s head at the time, Crime Intelligence head, General Dumisani Khumalo, and six colleagues.
The commission heard that IDAC received allegations that several Crime Intelligence officials had manipulated procurement processes within the South African Police Service (SAPS), misused state funds and committed other acts of misconduct.
It also heard that public prosecutor, Advocate Tyron Ramsamy, submitted a list of 12 Crime Intelligence officials for investigation, despite Adams, naming only three officials in his affidavit.
This includes Khumalo, Crime Intelligence Chief Financial Officer, Major-General Philani Lushaba, and Crime Intelligence Component Head in Intelligence Analysis and Coordination Major-General Nozipho Madondo.
Johnson admitted approving the proposal but struggled to explain why the scope of the investigation was expanded beyond the three officials named by Adams.
Johnson conceded that the investigation was initiated on the basis of Adams’ allegations, saying they appeared credible at the time and were considered sufficient to justify a preliminary investigation.
Commission chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, questioned whether it was reasonable for IDAC to rely on unverified allegations without further corroboration.
Johnson replied that investigators still wanted to examine the contents of the dockets because Adams had alleged they contained evidence of more serious criminal conduct.
“It couldn’t stop there because we now need to see what is in these dockets,” she said.
The commission heard that in November 2024 (now suspended) police minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief staffer, Cedrick Nkabinde, had communicated to Idac that Adams had flagged, with Mchunu’s office, criminal complaints he made against senior police officers.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi asked Johnson about how she reacted to details, including the names of several flagged Crime Intelligence officers, that a prosecutor submitted to her in the early phase of this saga.
The names were not all referenced in the Adams’ affidavit, meaning it was not clear where the names were obtained from.
Baloyi said it was “a misuse of power” to take certain “intrusive steps and action” – investigative action – against those named so soon.
She said there was no legislative basis for this.
Asked if Johnson had a response to this, Johnson replied that she had “no comment”.
It was Johnson’s second day testifying before the Madlanga Commission.
Johnson requested that today’s proceedings conclude an hour early, citing the effects of medication she is taking for an illness she has declined to disclose publicly.
Meanwhile the suspended SAPS Organised Crime Unit Sergeant Fannie Ezekiel Nkosi’s criminal cases have been formally centralised.
In the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court this morning, the State produced a certificate from the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions authorising the joining of the Thohoyandou (Venda) matter with the existing Pretoria charges.
Both the State and defence confirmed the matter is now trial-ready. By agreement, the case was transferred to the Pretoria North Regional Court for first appearance on 19 August 2026.