The head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Andrea Johnson, is scheduled to appear before the Madlanga Commission on Monday as the inquiry examines allegations concerning the conduct and independence of the anti-corruption unit.

Johnson’s anticipated appearance follows evidence last week from a retired Hawks investigator, a serving Hawks officer and protected witnesses, who raised allegations of interference in investigations, the disclosure of confidential information and, in one case, the alleged extortion of foreign shopkeepers.

Among the most serious allegations were those levelled against senior IDAC investigator Suneel Bellochun.

Protected Witness N, a member of the Political Killings Task Team, alleged that Bellochun demanded regular protection payments from Pakistani shopkeepers in the Eastern Cape, including business owners who allegedly lacked the necessary documentation or permits. The claims have not been tested or established as fact.

Johnson is separately facing allegations relating to her handling of a criminal investigation involving suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan.

Retired Hawks Colonel Kobus Roelofse told the commission on Friday that Johnson allegedly interfered in an assault and intimidation investigation by providing Khan with confidential evidence before investigators had obtained his warning statement.

Johnson was a senior NPA prosecutor at the time of the alleged conduct in July 2018 and had not yet been appointed head of IDAC.

According to Roelofse, Johnson allegedly sent documents and evidence from the investigation to the private Gmail account of a female Crime Intelligence colonel, now known as Witness O.

The material allegedly included the complainant Brigadier Leonora Phetlhe’s statement, a J88 medical report and an audio recording connected to the assault and intimidation complaint she had lodged against Khan.

Witness O was allegedly instructed to print the material, give it to Khan and delete the email. She instead retained the message after handing the printed documents to him.

Roelofse testified that Khan received the evidence a day before investigators were due to obtain his warning statement.

He said that providing a suspect with evidence from an active investigation before obtaining the suspect’s version could allow that person to tailor their account or influence potential witnesses.

The commission also heard that the NPA declined to prosecute Khan in December 2021, with the case formally closed the following month.

Roelofse said the allegations concerning Johnson came to his attention in 2022 after Witness O made a protected disclosure. He and Hawks investigator Captain Mark McLean subsequently investigated the claims.

Because the allegations implicated Johnson, who had by then been appointed head of IDAC, Roelofse said he approached then Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya and requested that the NPA appoint a senior prosecutor to oversee the matter.

Roelofse testified that Johnson later called him to her office and appeared to have detailed knowledge of the protected disclosure made against her.

According to his evidence, Johnson denied that she had done anything improper.

Roelofse also questioned how Johnson had learnt the identity of the protected witness and the contents of the complaint, saying only a small number of senior officials had access to the documents.

He additionally raised concerns about Johnson’s communication with former journalist and current AfriForum spokesperson Barry Bateman, who had previously obtained documents connected to the Khan investigation.

Roelofse testified that Johnson had requested the documents from Bateman and later told him not to worry after learning that Hawks investigators were examining the matter.

INSIDE POLITICS

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