By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has suggested a possible “hidden hand” directing the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC)’s investigations into Crime Intelligence and the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), after evidence emerged that the directorate pursued lines of inquiry extending far beyond the allegations contained in MP Fadiel Adams’ original complaint.
Proceedings resumed on Tuesday, as former IDAC head Andrea Johnson was questioned about a summons she authorised seeking extensive employment, promotion and operational records relating to Crime Intelligence and the PKTT, despite repeatedly insisting that IDAC had never investigated the specialised unit.
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Looking at the scope of the summons, Khumalo said it appeared disconnected from Adams’ Section 27 referral.
“Looking at these documents, speaking for myself, it looks like there was a hidden hand driving IDAC investigations into Crime Intelligence and PKTT and the question is who and what is that hidden hand? Because this is not Mr Adams’ complaint, we’ve established that,” Khumalo said.
Johnson agreed that the material sought went beyond Adams’ complaint.
Khumalo pointed to requests for performance assessments of all Crime Intelligence major-generals, documentation relating to Lieutenant-General Peter Jacobs, and records concerning PKTT promotions.
“So where do all these things come from? This is a much broader investigation into Crime Intelligence and quite clearly all members of PKTT. Who was driving this because it’s clearly not Mr Adams. This is now something else altogether,” he said.
Pressed on whether she shared his assessment, Johnson stopped short of rejecting the proposition.
“When you read it as you read it, I’m saying I am briefed on this matter by a chief investigator and the investigators conduct the investigations. At the time I signed this, I have nothing within my knowledge to gainsay the authenticity or the truth of what is being put to me,” she said.
Khumalo suggested the investigators were either relying on information beyond Adams’ complaint or pursuing another agenda entirely.
“And it begs the question, who was driving this? And what was the motive? Was there political interference? Was there infiltration? Because those are the answers this Commission must ask. Is it political interference? Is it infiltration of IDAC by unknown people? Is it a hidden hand that we don’t see in any of these documents? Those are the questions we must ask ourselves,” the commissioner said.
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Johnson acknowledged the possibility.
“And the best person to answer would be the person who drew up this document and indicate the basis on which he lay for these documents,” she said.
But commissioner Sesi Baloyi rejected that explanation, reminding Johnson that she had personally authorised the summons.
“No, I don’t think that’s right. The best person to answer is the person that authorises the summons,” Baloyi said.
She told Johnson that as the final decision-maker she should have satisfied herself there was a lawful basis for seeking information about PKTT promotions before signing the document.
“Maybe he was taking a chance with you. Maybe he was acting on the instruction of a hidden hand, as Commissioner Khumalo suggests. But you are the last person to speak on this,” she said.
Johnson ultimately accepted responsibility while conceding she could not rule out that there had been outside influence.
“I accept the position. I’m unfortunately unable to answer because I’m not aware of a political motive. But I cannot shy away from there might have been a hidden hand in how this played itself out and what was given to me and how it was given to me. There has to be some other explanation for why this takes place,” Johnson said.
Commission chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga also challenged Johnson over why she authorised the summons despite maintaining that IDAC was never investigating the PKTT.
Madlanga pointed out that once she accepted the PKTT was not under investigation, any briefing she may have received could not justify authorising requests for PKTT records.
“So, are you able to explain then on what basis then did you authorise paragraph 6 of the summons?” he asked.
Johnson replied that she had no explanation for the chair’s question.
Madlanga observed that the explanation appeared to support Khumalo’s concern that there was an unidentified premise underlying the investigation.
The commission also examined a 2023 Public Service Commission (PSC) report that had already investigated complaints surrounding Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo’s appointment as head of Crime Intelligence before Adams lodged his criminal complaint with IDAC in 2024.
Baloyi noted that the PSC inquiry had been initiated following a complaint by academic Mary de Haas and had concluded that the appointment process was regular, and pointed out that the report was already in IDAC’s possession when the directorate decided to pursue its own investigation into the appointment.
Questioned on why IDAC continued investigating despite the PSC’s findings, Johnson said the report had never been brought to her attention.
The commission heard that the existence of such a conclusive report should have removed the appointment issue “from the realm of any kind of investigation”.
The commission continues.
