Johnson’s moment of truth

Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) head Andrea Johnson is expected to appear before the Madlanga commission as early as Tuesday, with no resignation on the table despite mounting pressure over damaging testimony against her and her failure to appear last week.

Government insiders said Johnson remained at the helm of Idac and intended to use her appearance to place her version on record. “There is no resignation as we speak,” a government insider briefed on developments said.

“She has not jumped ship. She is still the head of Idac and she says she will answer everything at the commission.”
Johnson’s sick leave ended on Wednesday. The insider said she returned to work on Thursday and allegedly convened a meeting with Idac employees that day, during which she addressed the allegations against her and uncertainty over her future. “She became emotional and took them into her confidence about what was happening.”

Another source said Johnson broke down while speaking to employees. “There has been speculation about her leaving but no resignation was submitted,” the source said. “She is still in office, and her position is that she must be allowed to present her version before the commission.”

On Friday, the government confirmed that Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Andy Mothibi would urgently meet Johnson to discuss the allegations and their effect on public confidence in Idac.
A justice ministry statement said Kubayi and Mothibi had expressed “serious concerns” about testimony before the commission concerning Idac officials and Johnson’s conduct.

The allegations had raised “serious credibility concerns” and “visibly impacted on public trust” in Idac’s operations, the ministry said. The developments had compelled Kubayi and Mothibi to meet Johnson urgently to address the concerns and formulate practical measures to rebuild public confidence.

“The steps taken emanating from this urgent meeting between the three will be communicated in due course,” the ministry said.
The statement also placed on record the government’s concern about being seen to interfere with the commission, an issue insiders said had complicated the timing of an engagement with Johnson before her evidence.

“The minister and the NDPP are committed to maintaining their utmost respect for the processes of the Madlanga commission,” the statement said, adding that they would “by no means interfere” with its work.

A government insider said an engagement before Johnson testifies could raise questions about what was discussed and whether she had been placed under pressure. “The view was that nothing should be done that could disrupt her appearance,” the source said. “She must appear, answer the allegations and put her version on record.”

Johnson was subpoenaed after she failed to testify on Monday. She submitted a medical certificate explaining her absence.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga described it as “one of those useless medical certificates”.

Her absence intensified speculation about whether she was genuinely ill. However, sources said her sick leave ran until Wednesday and she returned to her office the following day.

The subpoena legally compels Johnson to appear and testify under oath and requires her to answer allegations placed before the commission. The allegations include testimony by a
police whistleblower that Johnson allegedly sent evidence relating to a complaint against him to Crime Intelligence deputy head Maj-Gen Feroz Khan.

“She still denies the allegations,” an insider said. “She says she will put her version at the commission. That is where she wants to answer.”
She was again drawn into controversy in June when Idac’s planned re-arrest of Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo and Maj-Gen Nosipho Madondo was halted.

Idac had contacted the officers to present themselves at Brooklyn police station but the execution of the warrants was postponed after security-cluster representations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who appointed Johnson, is also examining the developments.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the matter was something the president was “looking into”.
“He was looking forward to her testimony,” Magwenya said after Johnson’s scheduled appearance was postponed.

Ramaphosa appointed Johnson and the decision over her future rests with him. She reports administratively to Mothibi, while Kubayi may make recommendations to Ramaphosa.

“The minister can make a recommendation but the final decision is not hers,” an insider said. “That is why the process must be handled properly and why she must first be heard.”

The justice ministry said Kubayi and Mothibi had to protect the credibility of both Idac and the NPA while respecting the commission’s work.
It ended its statement with a warning: “No one is bigger than the organisation they serve.”

Idac spokesperson Henry Mamothame said Johnson held a staff meeting “as she tends to when there are important issues to discuss,” adding that it was not “unusual”.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said Johnson had “returned to work, is no longer ill, and we expect that she will testify soon.”

Setumo Stone