By: Saneliso Mlambo
The Madlanga Commission heard an explosive telephone recording on Thursday in which former Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Andrea Johnson allegedly referred to the inquiry as a “sh*t show” and made disparaging remarks about its commissioners. The audio was played in open session during Advocate Drushanta Ramsamy’s testimony, triggering one of the inquiry’s most dramatic moments to date.
The recording formed part of evidence presented as the Commission continued probing the conduct of senior IDAC officials and investigations linked to Crime Intelligence. It comes after weeks of testimony in which witnesses challenged aspects of IDAC’s investigations, questioned key decisions and raised concerns over the handling of evidence.
Johnson has already spent several days under intense questioning over her leadership of IDAC, including appointments, investigative processes and alleged contradictions in evidence before the Commission. The emergence of the recording now places fresh scrutiny on her conduct outside the witness box and could become a key issue as the inquiry continues.
Following the playback of the recording, Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga indicated that Johnson would be recalled to respond to the conversation and explain the remarks attributed to her. Her return to the witness stand is now expected to be one of the Commission’s most anticipated sessions as commissioners seek answers over comments made while the inquiry was underway.