NPA confirms Andrea Johnson remains under criminal investigation
National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi says the criminal investigation into former Investigating Directorate against Corruption head Andrea Johnson will continue despite her resignation
The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi, says the former head of the Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC), Andrea Johnson, remains under criminal investigation.
The ongoing probe comes despite her resignation last week, while she was testifying before the Madlanga Commission.
Among the allegations is that she improperly shared the contents of an assault docket involving the suspended deputy head of Crime Intelligence, Fazel Khan, with him.
Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday, Mothibi warned that a resignation does not shield anyone from criminal accountability.
“Another aspect of the spectrum of accountability is that if there's evidence pointing to criminal action, and you may have followed on the Madlanga Commission, even Advocate Johnson herself opted not to answer some of the questions because there's investigations that are underway. So we will pursue those,” Mothibi said.
At the same briefing, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced the suspension of three senior IDAC officials.
Kubayi confirmed that Chief Investigator Dylan Permul and investigators Suneel Bellochun and Brian Padayachee have been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.
Permul was implicated during the Madlanga Commission after evidence emerged that he allegedly altered statements linked to National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams' complaint concerning fraud and corruption within Crime Intelligence.
Bellochun was also implicated before the commission over allegations of extortion. Testimony alleged that he repeatedly demanded money from a foreign shop owner and made violent threats.
Padayachee, meanwhile, rejected allegations made at the commission that IDAC had been used to target senior officials within Crime Intelligence and the South African Police Service.
Kubayi also revealed that all 146 IDAC employees will have their qualifications and experience assessed against the positions they occupy.
The review is expected to be completed by mid-August.
She added that lifestyle audits will be conducted on all staff members, with an experienced investigator from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) who will also be seconded to the National Prosecuting Authority to carry out a comprehensive audit of all IDAC investigations.
Kubayi said the government is in the process of appointing an acting head for the directorate following Johnson's resignation.
