By Marcus Moloko
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC)’s Head of Operations, Matthews Sesoko was kidnapped, assaulted, and robbed while driving home on Friday night.
The incident unfolded along the R25 in Kempton Park, intensifying concerns over the safety of IDAC officials involved in high-profile corruption investigations.
Sesoko was taken by unknown assailants in Pretoria and abandoned near Rabie Ridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.
His state-issued cellphone and laptop were taken during the attack. He reached the Rabie Ridge police station around 2 AM, where he reported the incident. He has since received medical attention for injuries sustained during the attack.
The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed the incident but declined to speculate on the motive.
“While the NPA is wary of making any speculation on the motive behind such horrific action and whether it is related to his work, the incident and its timing reflects the possible dangers in this space,” the NPA said in a statement.
Sesoko’s abduction comes amid escalating threats against IDAC leadership.
Advocate Andrea Johnson, the head of IDAC, recently testified before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Johnson revealed that since the June arrest of Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo, who faces fraud and corruption charges alongside other senior SAPS officials, she and her team have been subjected to intimidation.
“I received a message directly to my cellphone warning me to get the body bags ready. It said we had gone too far,” Johnson told Parliament.
She emphasized that IDAC’s mandate is to dismantle corruption networks and that recent arrests are part of a broader effort to hold powerful figures accountable.
Johnson also pushed back against claims that IDAC is interfering in SAPS human resource matters, asserting that the unit’s focus remains squarely on state capture and systemic corruption.
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