Public Interest SA has referred embattled Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson to the Legal Practice Council and called for her suspension, saying evidence before the Madlanga Commission raises serious questions about her fitness to hold office and the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The civil society organisation confirmed it lodged a formal complaint on Wednesday, seeking a disciplinary investigation into Johnson’s conduct following what it described as “damning concessions” made during proceedings before the commission.
“The complaint raises serious concerns regarding Johnson’s fitness to continue practising as a legal practitioner and serving as South Africa’s foremost anti-corruption prosecutor,” Public Interest SA said.
“We contend that aspects of her conduct are fundamentally incompatible with the ethical obligations imposed upon legal practitioners, her duties as an officer of the court, and the standards expected of the head of a specialised anti-corruption prosecuting body.”
The organisation said its complaint includes allegations that protected disclosures made by a complainant in a criminal matter involving a senior SAPS Crime Intelligence officer were unlawfully disclosed, potentially compromising the reporting process and placing lives, livelihoods and the administration of justice at risk.
“Johnson invoked her right against self-incrimination.”
Public Interest SA also raised concerns about the prosecution of Brigadier Dineo Mokwele and other senior SAPS Crime Intelligence officers, arguing that evidence before the commission had cast doubt on whether the prosecution met constitutional standards of fairness, impartiality and good faith.
Mokwele’s case came under scrutiny after Johnson admitted she approved the fraud and corruption prosecution against her without reviewing her CV or verifying her qualifications.
Johnson told the commission she relied on incorrect information from investigators when alleging that Mokwele had fraudulently secured her appointment as head of Crime Intelligence’s Technical Support Services unit.
The commission heard that Mokwele holds a National Diploma in Mechatronics Engineering, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and is studying towards an MBA.
Johnson admitted she was unaware of some of these qualifications.
“I relied on the briefing from my team. The facts I received then were incorrect,” Johnson said.
Mokwele, a former BMW mechatronics engineer, was appointed to the specialist role after three recruitment attempts. She and other officials were arrested by IDAC last year and remain out on bail while seeking a review of the investigation.
Public Interest SA further argued that Johnson had previously admitted, under oath before the commission, a parliamentary ad hoc committee and the 2025 interview panel for the vacant National Director of Public Prosecutions position, that she acted unethically by failing to recuse herself from a selection panel that interviewed her husband, Junaid Johnson, for a position within the now-defunct Scorpions.
“These developments, taken together, substantially reinforce concerns previously raised regarding prosecutorial impropriety in the matter.”
The organisation said National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi must urgently consider representations from the accused and determine whether continuing with the prosecution remains consistent with the constitutional duty to pursue justice.
Public Interest SA also said it would request the State Security Agency review Johnson’s security vetting and revoke any Top Secret security clearance she holds, where appropriate and lawful.
The organisation acknowledged that Johnson’s testimony before the Madlanga Commission had not concluded but said the seriousness of the evidence already heard required immediate action.
“The competent authority must urgently implement appropriate precautionary measures, including the immediate suspension of Advocate Johnson pending the outcome of the relevant investigations and proceedings.”
Johnson faces growing pressure to step aside amid allegations relating to her conduct. The allegations stem from an assault and intimidation case opened in 2018 against suspended Crime Intelligence Major General Feroz Khan by another police officer.
Johnson, then a senior prosecutor, has been accused of interfering in the investigation.
The commission heard allegations that she instructed investigators not to pursue certain aspects of the matter.
Retired Hawks investigator Colonel Kobus Roelofse told the inquiry he had been informed that Johnson intervened, fuelling claims that the investigation was improperly influenced.
The commission has also heard evidence from Witnesses N and O, whose testimony focused on IDAC’s conduct and its handling of Crime Intelligence-related investigations.
Parts of their evidence were heard in camera after the commission ruled that public proceedings could compromise ongoing investigations and endanger those involved.
Previous witnesses have also alleged that Johnson had an improper relationship with Khan, further intensifying scrutiny of IDAC’s independence and handling of high-profile investigations.
