Watch VideoAlleged recording reveals former IDAC head advising prosecutor to flee the country

South Africa – Pretoria – Madlanga- 30 July 2026. Adv Drushantha Ramsamy, a State Advocate with the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), a unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Proceedings heard a cellphone recording where the former head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Advocate Andrea Johnson, allegedly tells prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy to leave the country if she is summoned to give evidence before the Madlanga Commission.

In the recording, Johnson appears to tell Ramsamy: “If they [the Madlanga Commission] call you, you leave the country.” The conversation, which the commission heard during evidence, allegedly took place on one of the days Johnson was testifying before the inquiry. It appears to show Johnson discussing ways to avoid Ramsamy appearing before the commission. During the call, Johnson also sought information from Ramsamy about how IDAC obtained the names of accused persons in the Mokwele matter.

Ramsamy told Johnson that she received the names directly from her on December 5, 2024. Ramsamy,also accused Johnson of turning the unit into a hostile workplace, alleging that leadership decisions were repeatedly changed, procedures ignored and staff intimidated. Ramsamy made the claims before theMadlanga Commissionon Thursday, directly challenging Johnson’s previous testimony and rejecting her account of events surrounding the controversial Dineo Mokwele investigation and the Crime Intelligence probe known as “Project Diversion”.

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According to Ramsamy, Johnson lied to the commission the dockets, investigations as well as certain decisions she made during her tenure. Ramsamy, who joined the anti-corruption unit in March 2023 while it was still part of theNational Prosecuting Authority(NPA), told the commission that Johnson misrepresented her role and involvement in the investigations. “Johnson told many untruths about me and my involvement in what is known as the Mokwele case,” Ramsamy said. She claimed Johnson failed to disclose that she had raised concerns about the investigation from the beginning and had repeatedly recorded those objections.

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