By: Saneliso Mlambo
Advocate Andrea Johnson, the head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), has formally requested to be released from office, citing sustained attacks against her and growing reputational damage to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Johnson made the request in a letter addressed to National Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Shamila Batohi, through Deputy National Director Adv. A. Motibi, and copied to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In the letter, Johnson says the past five months have been “challenging” and marked by unprecedented attacks on both her personal and official capacity. She says much of the criticism relates to cases pursued by IDAC against officials linked to Crime Intelligence. Johnson also notes that her testimony before the Madlanga Commission has intensified public scrutiny.
Johnson writes that the continued attacks have brought significant negative attention not only to her but also to IDAC and the NPA. After serving the NPA for three decades, she says she cannot allow herself to become the reason for further reputational harm to the institutions she has served.
She acknowledges that allegations against her remain unproven but argues that determining her fitness to hold office through another commission would be costly and time-consuming. Johnson also says South Africa cannot afford another commission while the country continues efforts to strengthen its anti-corruption framework and meet its Financial Action Task Force (FATF) obligations, in which IDAC plays a key role.
Johnson reveals that she had already applied for retirement, but believes that process could face legal challenges if approved. Instead, she asks President Ramaphosa and Batohi to accept her resignation and waive the three-month notice period contained in her contract, allowing her to leave office immediately. She proposes vacating her office within 24 hours if the request is approved.
To support her application, Johnson points to previous instances where senior NPA officials were permitted to leave office without serving notice after submitting their resignations. She argues that granting her request would ensure a smooth transition while minimising disruption to IDAC and the NPA.
In closing, Johnson thanks President Ramaphosa for the opportunity to serve the country and the NPA, saying it is because of that opportunity that she is requesting urgent consideration of her application to be released from office.