Madlanga Commission | Johnson says she received death threats over Khumalo investigation

Embattled Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head, Senior Advocate Andrea Johnson, says she received death threats while investigating senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday, Johnson insisted investigations into several senior police officers had begun before she took office at IDAC, and rejected claims that she specifically targeted Crime Intelligence head, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo.

She also dismissed allegation by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, that IDAC acted improperly by investigation matters involving alleged underworld kingpins, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe, while the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and Crime Intelligence were already dealing with those cases.

While denying that IDAC investigated Molefe, Johnson maintained the directorate’s only interest was the alleged irregular awarding of the controversial R360 million SAPS healthcare tender to Matlala’s Medicare24 company.

Johnson told the commission that the Khumalo investigation came at a personal cost, revealing that she received a death threat via text message, which she says is now the subject of a criminal investigation.

Johnson also rejected claims that Khumalo’s arrest on 26 June last year was politically motivated.

At the start of proceedings, Johnson’s counsel, Advocate Apla Bodlani, informed the commission that documents relating to the arrests of Khumalo and other Crime Intelligence officials were no longer in her possession, meaning she could not account for them.

Johnson maintained there was nothing irregular about Khumalo’s arrest, saying he was treated with dignity and respect throughout the operation.

She also corroborated earlier evidence by IDAC senior investigator, Colonel Brian Padayachee, that the matter had been referred to the directorate by National Coloured Congress (MCC) leader and member of Parliament (MP), Fadiel Adams.

Johnson further told the commission that she was unaware at the time of Khumalo’s arrest of any link between him and the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), adding that even if she had known, it would not have influenced the decision to arrest him.

Khumalo was arrested on allegations including fraud, corruption, nepotism and the abuse of state resources.

Johnson also declined to respond to allegations that she interfered in a 2018 assault case involving suspended Deputy Crime Intelligence head, Major-General Feroz Khan, saying the matter is currently the subject of legal processes.

During earlier testimony by Witness O, retired Hawks Colonel, Kobus Roelofse, and Hawks Captain, Mark McClean, the commission heard allegations that Johnson instructed an email relating to the assault case to be shared unlawfully with Khan.

The commission also heard that, after the email containing images and an audio recording of the alleged assault had been sent to Witness O’s personal email address, Johnson allegedly instructed that it be deleted after Khan became aware of its existence.

Witness O testified that she refused to do so and instead retained the email for record-keeping purposes.

The witnesses alleged Johnson was attempting to alert Khan that one of his subordinates, Brigadier Leonora Phetlhe, had opened an assault case against him and disclosed the matter to the media.

Johnson said the matter is now before the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and invoked her constitutional right against self-incrimination.

Johnson also asked the commission not to disclose the nature of the illness that prevented her from testifying last week.

Meanwhile, IDAC’s Oversight Judge’s Office confirmed it had recieved complaints against Johnson.

The office said the complaints are being processed in accordance with its statutory mandate and applicable legal framework.

It stressed that receiving a complaint does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing or evidence of misconduct, adding that each complaint is assessed independently, objectively and in line with the principles of procedural fairness.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao