Andrea Johnson denies Khumalo's airport arrest was 'dramatic operation'

She told the Madlanga Commission that there was "nothing dramatic" about the operation at OR Tambo International Airport.

Johnson, who took the stand before the commission on Tuesday, rejected suggestions that Khumalo's arrest was orchestrated to humiliate him.

She insisted that the operation was carried out professionally, lawfully and with respect for his rights.

"The evidence before this commission is that Lt. Gen. Khumalo was arrested in a dramatic fashion. Nothing can be further from the truth," Johnson said.

She told the commission that only two senior IDAC investigators were assigned to execute the arrest after investigators established that Khumalo was about to leave Johannesburg.

Johnson said they did not know when he was expected to return, making it necessary to arrest him before his departure.

According to Johnson, the investigators arrived at OR Tambo International Airport armed with a warrant of arrest, identified themselves, explained the reason for the arrest, informed Khumalo of his constitutional rights and asked him to accompany them to the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria.

"They then asked Lt. Gen. Khumalo to accompany them to Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria. He cooperated and was taken there. There was nothing dramatic about it," she testified.

Khumalo and several senior Crime Intelligence officers were arrested by IDAC in June 2025 in connection with an investigation into alleged irregularities within the Crime Intelligence Division.

The charges stem from a Section 27 referral made by former MP Fadiel Adams and relate to allegations including the manipulation of recruitment and appointment processes, irregular security vetting and the appointment of unqualified individuals to senior strategic positions within Crime Intelligence.

Johnson further told the commission that Khumalo's security detail remained with him throughout the arrest and that he was never threatened or mistreated.

"At all times during his arrest, Lt. Gen. Khumalo's security detail was with him. He was not threatened and was accorded all the respect that could be accorded a person of his profile," Johnson said.

She also revealed that investigators stopped at a filling station on the journey from OR Tambo International Airport to Pretoria after Khumalo requested something to drink.

According to Johnson, Khumalo later thanked the investigators for the respectful manner in which he and his co-accused had been treated after they were processed at the Brooklyn Police Station.

"Once Lt. Gen. Khumalo had been processed at Brooklyn Police Station, he personally thanked Chief Investigator Perumal for treating him and the other co-accused in a respectful and dignified manner," she testified.

Johnson also dismissed claims that Khumalo was targeted because of his role as coordinator of the Political Killings Task Team.

"I would be remiss if I did not dismiss the suggestion that Lt. Gen. Khumalo was arrested because he was the coordinator of the Political Killings Task Team. This suggestion is anything but true. It is as false as it is unfortunate," she told the commission.

Instead, Johnson said IDAC investigated Khumalo in his capacity as Divisional Commissioner of Crime Intelligence after receiving a referral in terms of Section 27 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act from the leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC), MP Fadiel Adams.

Johnson said the referral was handled like any other matter before investigators analysed four dockets and gathered what she described as sufficient evidence to establish reasonable and probable grounds for prosecution.

However, she declined to discuss the merits of the criminal case against Khumalo and his co-accused, saying the matter is now before the courts.