Madlanga Commission | IDAC boss Andrea Johnson expected to testify after returning to work

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry says it will soon announce a new date for the testimony of Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head, Senior Advocate Andrea Johnson.

This comes after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) indicated that Johnson has reportedly returned to work following several days in hospital.

Earlier this week, Johnson’s legal team informed the commission that she was unable to testify after being rushed to hospital with an undisclosed illness.

Her lawyers said she would remain under medical care until 15 July.

Commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, says there has been no further indication that Johnson remains unwell, adding that the commission will announce a new date soon.

Meanwhile, the commission has postponed controversial North West businessman, Suleiman Carrim’s, application to delay his testimony to 24 July and is also expected to rule on his application for his testimony to be heard in camera.

Carrim, who has failed to comply with at least three subpoenas issued by the commission, was allegedly seen in the Western Cape and North West in recent weeks despite the commission having been informed that he was recovering in hospital.

The commission also continued hearing evidence from Pietermaritzburg SAPS Warrant Officer, Mbongeleni Mpangase, who has been accused of lying about who was present during the June 2021 drug bust at the CHC Depot in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mpangase testified that, before the operation began, Colonel Gavin Jacobs instructed him to record the names of everyone present at the scene.

He told the commission that he noted the names of everyone present during the operation, including Sergeants Mkhize, Govender and Nthuthuko Khuzwayo.

However, the three officers, along with Durban Serious Organised Crimes Investigations (SOCI) Lieutenant-Colonel, Gavin Jacobs, have all testified that they only arrived after being called to help transport the cocaine exhibits seized during the operation.

Mpangase insists the officers were initially at the scene, left, and were later called back to assist with transporting the 27 bags that he says contained bricks of cocaine.

However, Commissioner Sesi Baloyi, accused Mpangase of being untruthful.

Mpangase also maintained that his role during the operation was limited to taking notes under Jacobs’ supervision while Jacobs and Warrant Officer Kwazikwakhe Sibiya photographed the scene.

The June 2021 operation remains under scrutiny after 541 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of R200 million, was allegedly stolen from the Hawks’ walk-in safe at its Port Shepstone offices in November 2021.

Mpangase testified that black canvas bags marked with “Jaguar” and “TikTok” logos were visible inside one of the shipping containers as soon as it was opened.

He said the bags were loaded into an official Hyundai H1 and transported to Isipingo Police Station for safekeeping.

However, Warrant Officer Dan Perumel ,has disputed evidence that he declined to store the drugs at the station because there was insufficient space, telling the commission he was never approached.

The commission heard the cocaine was ultimately stored in a walk-in safe at the Port Shepstone Hawks offices on the instruction of then KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head, Lesetja Senona, before it was allegedly stolen.

Mpangase further testified that he was the one who recommended involving Warrant Officer, Kwazikwakhe Sibiya, in the operation because Jacobs did not get along with some of the other officers.

This contradicts Jacobs’ evidence that he instructed Mpangase to approach Sibiya.

Mpangase rejected that version, saying Jacobs “probably could not recall” the events correctly.

The commission also heard that neither Mpangase, Jacobs, nor Sibiya had prior experience in conducting major drug-bust operations before the June 2021 raid.

clip

Mpangase acknowledged that it would have been more appropriate to involve more experienced officers, but said he opted against doing so because of strained relationships between Jacobs and some of his colleagues, including Colonels Thembeka Mbele and Dilon Moodley.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao