Madlanga Commission | Minister Kubayi announces suspension of three IDAC officials

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mamoloko Kubayi, has announced the suspension of three Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) officials.

The suspended officials, are IDAC chief investigator Dylan Perumal, Senior investigator Brian Padayachee and investigator Suneel Bellochun.

The officials are at the centre of damning allegations heard by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry from several witnesses, including IDAC’s former head, Senior Advocate Andrea Johnson.

Briefing the media on Thursday, Kubayi said the officials had been suspended pending disciplinary action.

“I have, as the minister, placed Mr. Dylan Perumel, on suspension from his position as the chief investigator of South Africa’s Investigating Directorate pending disciplinary action and disciplinary processes. The NDPP in terms of his powers, has started a disciplinary process for employees within his preview who have been found wanting in IDAC. Mr Brian Padayachee and Mr. Suneel Bellochun have already been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings against them,” said Kubayi.

Kubayi also announced that an acting head of IDAC will be appointed by next week.

Meanwhile, IDAC State Advocate, Drushantha Ramsamy, claims that former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi, supported former IDAC head, Andrea Johnson.

Ramsamy testified before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, where she also alleged that grievances raised by IDAC staff were ignored by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The commission also heard a telephone conversation recorded a few weeks back between Ramsamy and Johnson.

During the call, Johnson was allegedly heard making derogatory remarks about the commission and advising Ramsamy to skip the country to avoid testifying.

She also accused Johnson of lying under oath about what has become known as the “Mokwele matter”.

Ramsamy said she had raised concerns at the directorate from the onset, and repeatedly thereafter about matters involving Crime intelligence.

She further testified that Johnson ring-fenced the directorate’s Crime Intelligence investigations under what was known as “Project Diversion”.

“These concerns are not just limited to the Mokwele matter. There were concerns about the Crime Intelligence related matters relating to the national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. Advocate Johnson decided shortly after the Section 28(13) authorisation of Crime intelligence matters, that all other Crime Intelligence matters would be ring-fenced into a project, which she named Project Diversion. I do not know why she chose this name either than what is stated in the WhatsApp chats I have provided,” explained Ramsamy.

Ramsamy also testified that Johnson was nicknamed “Flip-Flop Knee Jerk” by colleagues because of what they perceived as her tendency to deviate from the directorate’s mandate.

Drawing on her personal experience, Ramsamy said she often noticed that Johnson’s handling of inquiries would change direction after discussions with Perumel.

Ramsamy alleges that Johnson’s deviations were often accompanied with intimidation.

Meanwhile, the commission says Johnson will have to appear before it again to respond to fresh allegations leveled against her.

Ramsamy requested to present what she describes as “several lies” Johnson allegedly told under oath.

Commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, says Johnson will be served with a subpoena to reappear before the commission despite her recent six days of testimony.

Michaels added that any witness found to have deliberately misled the commission will face punitive measures.

“According to the commission’s Act of 1947, it is an offence to lie to the commission or to mislead the commission. And it says on Section 6(2) that any person who after having bee been sworn in or having made an affirmation, gives false evidence before the commission on any matter and knowing such evidence to be false shall be guilty of an offense and liable to conviction of a fine or imprisonment,” said Michaels.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao