By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

Former head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Andrea Johnson, had allegedly advised prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy, to leave the country if there was any chance she would be summoned at the Madlanga Commission, which was revealed through a series of voice recordings over the phone.

“If they [Madlanga Commission] call you, you leave the country,” said Johnson in the recordings.

 The conversation had allegedly taken place during one of the days that Johnson had appeared before the commission and the recordings were revealed as evidence during Ramsamy’s testimony.

The main context of the conversation was for Johnson to advise Ramsamy to avoid appearing at the commission. In this call between Ramsamy and her Johnson, she had asked Ramsamy for information regarding how IDAC had gotten the names of the accused persons in the Mokwele matter.

 Ramsamy then clarified that she received the names directly from her on December 5,2024. Ramsamy had also accused Johnson of fostering a toxic working environment and alleges that the leadership decisions were constantly changing, procedures were deliberately ignored and staff intimidation occurred during Johnson’s time as IDAC head.

Ramsamy had already been making claims before her appearance at the Madlanga Commission in which she directly challenges Johnson’s previous testimony as well rejecting her accounts of events surrounding the matter pertaining to Dineo Mokwele Investigation and the Crime Intelligence probe known as “Project Division”.

Ramsamy also claims that Johnson had been lying to the commission about dockets, investigations, and other decisions she made during her time as IDAC head. Ramsamy had joined the Anti-corruption unit in March 2023 while it was still a section of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and told the commission that Johnson had misrepresented her role and involvement in investigations.

“Johnson told many untruths about me and my involvement in what is known as the Mokwele Case” ,said Ramsamy.

Ramsamy claims that Johnson did not disclose that she had raised concerns about the investigation from the beginning and has repeatedly recorded those objections.

The disputes center around “Project Diversion” which is a matter involving Crime Intelligence Investigations as well as the appointment of former BMW employee Dineo Mokwele to a senior position. Ramsamy stated that Johnson was part of the investigation since its inception.

“Let me make it clear that Advocate Johnson was in charge of Project Diversion and, in particular, the Mokwele Matter from the outset” said Ramsamy. “I do not know why she chose this name other than what is stated in her whatsapp message” Ramsamy explained further.

According to Ramsamy certain members of staff had sought counselling due to the pressures of the workplace and herself being subjected to an internal investigation and was temporarily made redundant in 2023.