Ramaphosa accepts resignation of IDAC head Andrea Johnson
President Cyril Ramaphosa has on Monday accepted the resignation of Investigating Director of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson, with immediate effect.
The Presidency says Ramaphosa approved Johnson’s request in terms of section 12(8)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act of 1998, following a recommendation from Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and support from National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi.
Johnson had written to President Ramaphosa and Mothibi requesting to be released from office immediately and for her contractual three-month notice period to be waived.
In her resignation letter, Johnson said her decision was driven by months of intense scrutiny and criticism directed at her leadership of IDAC, particularly relating to investigations involving senior Crime Intelligence officials.
She said the criticism had placed significant pressure on both herself and the institutions she represented.
"The recent five months or so have been challenging and the attacks on both my person and official capacity have been unprecedented."
She added that much of the criticism stemmed from IDAC’s investigations into Crime Intelligence officials.
"Much of the attacks revolve and arise out of the cases IDAC has conducted against officials of Crime Intelligence."
Johnson, who has served in the NPA for three decades, said she was concerned that the continued controversy was damaging the reputation of both IDAC and the prosecuting authority.
"I cannot be the reason that there is so much negative attention and reputational risk to IDAC and the NPA."
Her resignation comes as she has been appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.
The commission has heard testimony and allegations relating to the handling of several high-profile matters involving Crime Intelligence officials, with Johnson’s role at IDAC coming under scrutiny.
Johnson said any process to investigate allegations against her would take time and resources, adding that the country could not afford another costly inquiry.
"The allegations against me must still be proven, but that will again require the setting up of a commission and a process which is both costly and time consuming."
She also warned that the controversy could have wider implications for South Africa’s international obligations.
"South Africa is also under Financial Action Task Force scrutiny, and all of this given that IDAC plays a pivotal role in the output to FATF is another consequence we cannot afford."
The Presidency confirmed that the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi, received Johnson’s request and supported the recommendation for her immediate release.
President Ramaphosa thanked Johnson for her contribution to the NPA and her leadership of IDAC.
"The President thanked Adv Johnson for her years of service in the NPA and as the head of IDAC," Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said.
Ramaphosa also assured NPA leadership and staff of the government’s continued support in tackling crime and corruption.
"The President assures the leadership and staff of the NPA of government’s unwavering support for its work in the fight against crime and corruption,"Magwenya said.
Johnson said she remained grateful for the opportunity to serve the country and the prosecuting authority, describing her departure as a decision intended to protect the institutions she had served.
"I have been honoured to have served and want to ensure that I am able to exit with as minimal disruption as possible."
Her resignation comes as political parties and civil society groups continue to debate the future and credibility of IDAC following allegations raised at the Madlanga Commission.
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