IDAC head Andrea Johnson denies ‘Khan-IDAC cabal’, says Murray meeting changed relationship

By Johnathan Paoli

Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson has denied allegations that she was part of a so-called “Khan-IDAC cabal”, telling the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that her relationship with suspended Gauteng Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan deteriorated after an emotional meeting with the son of slain insolvency practitioner Cloete Murray.

Testifying before the commission on Tuesday, Johnson rejected claims that she had a close personal relationship with Khan or shared confidential information with him. While acknowledging they had communicated outside official duties, she said their relationship changed after liquidator James Murray approached her about the investigation into the murders of his father, Cloete, and brother, Thomas.

“It is only late in 2024 when this issue of Mr James Murray arose because Mr Murray came to see me personally. It had been a very painful engagement and it was then that I raised the issue with him [Khan] and I slowly started to withdraw. I didn’t stop talking to him completely, but if I have to cast my mind back, that’s why I say the past year and a half, which would have been from very early 2025,” Johnson told the commission.

Cloete Murray, a prominent insolvency practitioner involved in several state capture and corruption-related matters, and his son Thomas were ambushed and shot on the N1 near Midrand on 18 March 2023 while travelling to Pretoria.

More than three years later, no arrests have been made.

The investigation has since been restarted amid allegations of police failures and concerns over the handling of key evidence.

Burnett Hermanus, also known as “Mr B” and regarded by investigators as the alleged gunman in the murders, was himself shot dead in the parking area of Netcare Milpark Hospital in 2025.

Khan, together with former Organised Crime