A comprehensive reset of the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has begun in the wake of damaging allegations presented at the Madlanga Commission against members of the directorate.
This was announced by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
Testimony at the commission has raised allegations of wrongdoing on the part of now former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson and IDAC members Dylan Perumal, Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun.
“IDAC requires internal operational improvements to strengthen accountability, efficiency and effectiveness.
“We have commenced a process aimed at facilitating a comprehensive reset of the [IDAC], aimed at rebranding and repositioning the Directorate to enhance its effectiveness, strengthen its institutional identity, and ensure its long-term success in delivering on its mandate,” the Minister announced.
Remedial activities are already underway to strengthen the directorate including, amongst others:
- Human Resource Management and Development (HRM&D) has been tasked to commence the process of analysing the job profiles against the CVs of the post holders in IDAC. The analysis of all 146 staff members in IDAC will be completed by 14 August 2026.
- All the employees at IDAC will undergo lifestyle audits as a matter of urgency.
- A skilled, experienced investigator is being appointed by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to be seconded to the National Prosecuting Service (NPS) to conduct a full case audit on all cases. In the interim, the NPS is finalising the consideration of the Crime Intelligence Division (CID) cases enrolled. All section 28(1) and (13) authorisations will be evaluated against mandate, intake criteria and referral mechanism. There will be an evaluation of all cases currently on the court roll to ensure that people are correctly charged.
- A process to improve operational management of the directorate is underway, which includes a review of standard operating procedures and related issues.
- IDAC will ensure that they build a sustainable in-house capacity to deal with digital forensic matters.
“I have placed Dylan Perumal on suspension from his position as the chief investigator at South Africa’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) pending disciplinary processes.
“Disciplinary processes for employees within the purview of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) who have been found wanting at IDAC have commenced. Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun have already been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings against them,” Kubayi added.
Earlier this week, Johnson resigned from her position with immediate effect.
The Minister cautioned against calls for the directorate to be disbanded following the “revelations” at the Madlanga Commission.
“Those who are making these calls must disabuse themselves of the tendency to reduce institutions to individuals. Individuals come and go, but institutions remain, and we must defend and protect institutions because they are formed to fulfil a societal need rather than the agendas of individuals.
“Individuals within institutions who either abuse their power or violate their oath of office or deviate from operational norms and standards at whatever level must be held accountable.
“What has also come to light is that there are individuals who deliberately deviated from established norms and standards, deviated from written standard operating procedures to achieve their own ends within IDAC,” Kubayi said.
She emphasised that accountability measures will ensure that “there is no impunity and rogue elements can be decisively dealt with”.
Under review
Kubayi acknowledged that there is a need for a policy review of the IDAC, noting that a similar review of the National Prosecuting Authority Act is already underway.
According to the Minister, the review must address the following issues, amongst others:
- The term of office of the Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) and the head of IDAC. We believe that rather than being permanent as is currently the case, these positions should have a limited and defined term of office.
- Strengthening checks and balances and accountability mechanisms within the NPA in its entirety to ensure that we minimize abuse of power or process.
- Elimination of conflict of interest. What has emerged is that prosecutors find themselves in a position where they have to make a decision on the arrest warrants against their own colleagues, which is a clear case of conflict of interest.
- The legislative review has to address this challenge in a manner that promotes justice and fairness.
The Minister reminded South Africans of the importance of the NPA as the “only agency responsible for instituting criminal proceedings on behalf of the state”.
“We all have the responsibility to protect and defend the NPA, including IDAC, so that we can strengthen our democracy and ensure its stability.
“IDAC is an 18-month-old institution that has huge opportunities for both growth and stability. As a Minister, I believe that in the organisation there are still Men and Women of integrity who have kept to their oath of office as both investigators and prosecutors, and they deserve our support,” Kubayi concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
