Justice Minister to lead meeting over credibility concerns in anti-corruption unit
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi are set to meet with the head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson, amid growing concerns over the unit’s credibility.
This follows allegations raised at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that is investigating allegations of corruption and meddling in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The Department of Justice says the Minister and the NDPP are concerned about developments emerging from the Commission, where witnesses have made serious allegations regarding the conduct of IDAC officials and its leadership.
The allegations have raised questions about public confidence in IDAC, which was established to investigate and prosecute high-level corruption cases.
In a statement issued on Friday, the department said the concerns had 'visibly impacted on public trust' in IDAC’s operations, prompting an urgent meeting between Minister Kubayi, Adv Mothibi and Adv Johnson.
"The Minister and the NDPP are committed to maintaining their utmost respect for the processes of the Madlanga Commission, and in addressing these issues, will by no means interfere with the processes of the Commission," the department said.
The meeting is said to focus on practical steps to restore confidence in both IDAC and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The department added in the statement that both Kubayi and Mothibi remained committed to ensuring that IDAC and the NPA execute their mandates without fear, favour or prejudice.
"The Minister and the NDPP both hold the view of ensuring that IDAC and the NPA should discharge their responsibilities with credibility," the statement read.
The developments come as the Madlanga Commission prepares to hear testimony from Advocate Johnson, whose appearance before the inquiry was postponed earlier this week after she was reported to be ill.
On Friday, Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed that Johnson was no longer ill and was expected to testify in the coming weeks.
The IDAC head had been scheduled to appear before the commission to respond to allegations that she interfered in an assault case involving suspended Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan.
Johnson’s lawyer, Advocate Apla Bodlani, told the Commission that she had been receiving medical treatment and was unable to testify due to health-related issues.
The Commission granted a postponement, but Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga criticised the medical certificate submitted, describing it as lacking sufficient detail.
"I notice that this is one of those medical certificates, the nature of which I've previously said are useless, in the sense that they give no information whatsoever," Madlanga said.
The Commission said it was eager to hear Johnson’s evidence, given the seriousness of the allegations before it.
"As far as we are aware, she is no longer ill. There is no indication of that, and the commission needs to, and wants to hear from her as soon as possible on a whole range of serious issues," Michaels said.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department has urged the public to continue supporting IDAC, saying no individual is bigger than the institutions they serve.
"The steps taken emanating from this urgent meeting between the three will be communicated in due course," the department said.
ALSO READ
