Madlanga Commission | Johnson withdraws remarks about Mokwele

Embattled Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head, Senior Advocate Andrea Johnson, says the directorate had never investigated an employment-related matter before probing Brigadier Dineo Mokwele’s appointment to Crime Intelligence.

Johnson testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, where she apologised for describing Mokwele’s appointment as a “token appointment” and withdrew the remark.

The commission heard that IDAC charged Mokwele, along with several other Crime Intelligence officials, with fraud and corruption, alleging that she was not qualified for her position.

However, evidence before the commission showed that Mokwele holds a degree in Industrial Engineering, a diploma in Mechatronics Engineering and several other academic qualifications, prompting commissioners to conclude that she was academically qualified for the post.

While Johnson maintained that Mokwele lacked the required managerial experience, commissioner Sandile Khumalo, challenged that assertion, saying  her previous employment provided the necessary experience.

Johnson was subsequently instructed to withdraw her remarks about Mokwele’s appointment.

The commission also heard that IDAC took just three weeks to investigate a group of Crime Intelligence officials before arresting them on 26 June last year.

Johnson testified that she authorised the investigation on 30 May 2025 following what she described as a Section 28(13) preliminary inquiry to determine whether there were sufficient grounds for a full criminal investigation.

Less than a month later, several Crime Intelligence officials were arrested on fraud and corruption charges.

When asked what evidence IDAC uncovered during the three-week investigation, Johnson struggled to provide a direct answer, saying she first needed to consult the relevant case documents.

Evidence leader, Advocate Mahlaphe Sello, suggested that IDAC had relied on the preliminary inquiry to justify launching the criminal investigation.

The commission further heard that IDAC’s first step was to request police dockets from SAPS after National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and member of Parliament (MP), Fadiel Adams, alleged that criminal cases he had opened against the Crime Intelligence officials were being intercepted.

The requests were made on the same day as the controversial raids on the homes of alleged underworld figures, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe.

The commission heard that on 27 November 2024, Adams lodged a complaint with IDAC, claiming he had opened three criminal cases against Crime Intelligence officials in Gauteng but believed the dockets were being intercepted.

Johnson testified that on 6 December, IDAC approached Crime Intelligence head, General Dumisani Khumalo, requesting the dockets.

Khumalo allegedly informed the directorate that the files were not in his possession and were being held by the SAPS Inspectorate.

The commission heard that IDAC then approached Lieutenant-General, Hilda Senthumule, after which the Inspectorate handed the dockets to the directorate on 9 December 2024.

Johnson denied that IDAC had unlawfully seized the dockets, insisting the Inspectorate handed them over voluntarily and was under no obligation to do so.

Meanwhile, Public Interest SA has lodged a formal complaint with the Legal Practice Council, calling for a disciplinary investigation into Johnson’s conduct following what it describes as damning concessions made during proceedings before the commission.

The organisation argues that the complaint raises serious concerns about Johnson’s fitness to continue practising as a legal practitioner and serving as the head of South Africa’s specialised anti-corruption prosecuting body.

Public Interest SA further contends that aspects of Johnson’s conduct are incompatible with the ethical obligations of legal practitioners, her duties as an officer of the court, and the standards expected of the head of IDAC.

Public Interest SA confirms that, at the request of the IDAC Oversight Judge, its Chairperson today met with investigators in Pretoria.

This engagement does not replace, limit, or otherwise affect any other ongoing or related investigations, which will continue independently. pic.twitter.com/o2UlxwiV7b

— Public Interest SA (@propublicaSA) July 23, 2026

Written by: Odirile Rabalao