Three senior IDAC officials suspended amid anti-corruption crisis
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced the suspension of three senior officials from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) as government moves to rebuild the credibility of the anti-corruption unit.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, 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 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) 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 Advocate Andrea Johnson's resignation.
She stressed that the appointment would only be finalised once the necessary security vetting had been completed.
"But we just want to make sure that vetting is being done because, just to make sure that everything is not going to come back."
ALSO READ
