Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi announced a sweeping overhaul of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), ordering lifestyle audits for all staff members, a review of every corruption case under the unit and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening oversight following the resignation of its former head, Advocate Andrea Johnson.
Addressing the media on Thursday alongside National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi, Kubayi said the measures were intended to restore public confidence in the anti-corruption unit after recent allegations of misconduct involving Johnson and several investigators.
The intervention follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s acceptance of Johnson’s resignation with immediate effect on Sunday amid mounting scrutiny over IDAC’s operations.
Kubayi said while individuals implicated in wrongdoing would be held accountable, the institution itself should not be dismantled.
“Calls to disband IDAC are without foundation and cannot be supported,” she said.
“Individuals come and go, but institutions remain, and we must defend and protect institutions because they exist to fulfil a societal need rather than the agendas of individuals.”
She said allegations that some officials had deliberately bypassed established operational procedures demonstrated the need for stronger accountability mechanisms rather than the dissolution of the directorate.
Among the immediate interventions announced is a lifestyle audit for every employee at IDAC, while the National Prosecuting Authority will also assess whether all 146 staff members are appropriately appointed by matching their qualifications and experience against their job profiles.
The review is expected to be completed by 14 August.
Kubayi further announced that the Special Investigating Unit will second an experienced investigator to conduct a comprehensive audit of all IDAC cases.
The review will examine whether investigations fell within the unit’s mandate, whether authorisations were properly granted and whether accused persons currently before the courts have been correctly charged.
The NPA will simultaneously review IDAC’s operational procedures and strengthen its internal digital forensic capacity.
Kubayi also confirmed that IDAC chief investigator Dylan Perumal had been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings.
She said disciplinary processes had already commenced against other officials, with Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun also suspended while investigations continue.
The minister said the changes formed part of a broader effort to “reset” and reposition the directorate to improve its effectiveness, accountability and institutional credibility.
She pointed to the recent establishment of the Office of IDAC Oversight under retired Judge Takalani Raulinga, saying the body would play a critical role in investigating complaints and allegations of misconduct against the directorate.
Beyond operational reforms, Kubayi said government would use the ongoing review of the National Prosecuting Authority Act to introduce structural changes aimed at preventing similar problems in future.
Among the proposals under consideration is replacing permanent appointments for Directors of Public Prosecutions and the head of IDAC with fixed terms of office.
She also said the review would strengthen accountability mechanisms across the NPA and address conflicts of interest exposed by recent events.
“What has emerged is that prosecutors sometimes have to decide on arrest warrants involving their own colleagues,” Kubayi said.
“That is a clear conflict of interest and the legislation must address it.”
Kubayi rejected suggestions that wrongdoing within IDAC reflected racial dominance by prosecutors or investigators of Indian origin, saying public perceptions were not supported by the directorate’s staffing profile.
She said more than 81% of investigators were African, while Africans also constituted half of the directorate’s prosecutors.
“Wrongdoing is wrongdoing regardless of who is involved,” she said.
Kubayi stressed that IDAC remained a young institution with significant potential despite the recent controversy.
She urged the public to distinguish between individual misconduct and the mandate of the anti-corruption unit itself.
“As minister, I believe there are still men and women of integrity within the organisation who have remained true to their oath of office, and they deserve our support,” she said.
