WeeklySA_AdminLEADERSHIP: The SIU’s chief legal counsel has been appointed acting head of South Africa’s premier anti-corruption directorate as explosive Madlanga Commission testimony raises questions about its leadership, investigations and internal controls…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has appointed Special Investigating Unit chief legal counsel Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara as acting head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
Vanara replaces Advocate Andrea Johnson, whose immediate resignation was accepted by President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 27 following intense scrutiny of her leadership and evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Kubayi made the appointment after consulting National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi, the Justice Ministry announced on Thursday.
Vanara assumes office immediately and will lead the directorate while the process of appointing a permanent head continues.
Vanara inherits more than a vacant position — he takes charge of
an anti-corruption directorate fighting to restore its credibility
and prove that its formidable powers will be exercised lawfully…
His arrival comes at a precarious moment for the institution entrusted with investigating and prosecuting complex corruption and state-capture cases.
IDAC is undergoing a six-month “reset” after evidence before the Madlanga Commission raised troubling questions about whether some investigations were properly authorised, whether the directorate remained within its statutory mandate and whether adequate controls existed over the exercise of its extensive powers.
Vanara has more than 25 years’ experience in law, governance and regulation. He has served as the SIU’s chief legal counsel since August 2023, overseeing civil litigation, asset recovery, legal support for investigations and the unit’s corporate legal services.
Before joining the SIU, he was the SABC’s group executive for legal, governance and regulatory affairs and previously occupied senior legal positions in Parliament.
He holds a B Proc degree from Vista University and LLB and LLM qualifications from the University of the Free State.
“The Minister wishes Advocate Vanara well in his new role and has expressed full confidence in his ability to discharge his responsibilities with integrity and conscientiousness,” the department said.
His experience in civil litigation and asset recovery could prove valuable as IDAC attempts to restore institutional discipline while continuing to pursue sophisticated corruption cases.
Commission exposes turmoil
The Madlanga Commission was established by Ramaphosa in July 2025 after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that criminal syndicates had penetrated parts of South Africa’s law-enforcement and criminal justice institutions.
Chaired by retired Constitutional Court justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the inquiry is investigating alleged criminality, political interference and corruption involving politicians, police officers, prosecutors, intelligence operatives and other actors in the justice system.
Its second interim report has made referrals for investigation and action, while its final report is expected in November.
IDAC itself became a focus of the inquiry following testimony about its investigation into Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and several co-accused over the allegedly irregular appointment of Brigadier Dineo Mokwele. The commission heard evidence questioning whether the investigation fell within IDAC’s mandate and whether the available facts justified criminal charges.
Johnson conceded during her testimony that she had erred in concluding that the matter fell within the directorate’s mandate. The inquiry also heard conflicting accounts about the handling of affidavits, operational procedures and the involvement of senior investigators.
The NPA subsequently withdrew the charges against Khumalo, Mokwele and their co-accused after Mothibi reviewed the case. The withdrawal took place before the accused had pleaded and did not amount to an acquittal, but it intensified questions about how the investigation had been initiated and managed.
Evidence was also presented concerning Johnson’s relationship with former senior Crime Intelligence officer Major-General Feroz Khan and her handling of information relating to him. Johnson was questioned about WhatsApp exchanges that commissioners said appeared to indicate a closer personal relationship than she had initially described.
The allegations and testimony remain subject to the commission’s processes and do not constitute findings of criminal wrongdoing.
Johnson resigned while still under subpoena and continued appearing before the inquiry after leaving office. Ramaphosa accepted her resignation in terms of the National Prosecuting Authority Act after receiving recommendations from Kubayi and Mothibi.
The fallout did not end with her departure.
Kubayi suspended IDAC chief investigator Dylan Perumal, while Mothibi suspended senior investigators Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun pending disciplinary proceedings. The suspensions are precautionary and do not constitute findings of guilt.
MIRROR Briefs
Trafficked SA children return home
The Department of Social Development has welcomed the return of two South African children rescued in Malawi following an alleged human trafficking incident.
The children, aged nine and 15, arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday after cooperation involving the department, Interpol South Africa and authorities in the two countries.
Interpol referred the case to the department after allegations that members of a South African family had been trafficked to Malawi.
Malawian authorities rescued the children on 9 July and placed them in a place of safety while their repatriation was arranged.
A social worker travelled to Malawi to support the children and facilitate their return under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act.
The department said it would provide the children and their family with psychosocial support and other social services to assist their recovery and reunification.
Social Development Minister Dina Pule warned that human trafficking was real and could affect vulnerable families. She urged government, communities, families and civil society to work together to protect children from exploitation.
The department said 22 children had been repatriated. It appealed to parents and communities to report suspected trafficking and urged the media to respect the children’s privacy and dignity. – SAnews.gov.za
Didiza backs Gana as inquiry chair
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has rejected the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s request to remove Makashule Gana as chair of Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment committee.
MK Party parliamentary leader John Hlophe argued that Gana could not act impartially because Rise Mzansi has a cooperation agreement with President Cyril Ramaphosa. He asked Didiza to set aside Gana’s 1 June election and order a fresh vote.
But parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said Gana was elected through an open, fair and transparent process.
Didiza was not empowered to overturn a committee’s internal democratic decision taken in accordance with parliamentary rules, he said.
The dispute follows the committee’s decision to restart the process of appointing an evidence leader after concerns were raised about a possible conflict of interest involving Advocate Thandazani Madonsela.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape High Court has heard Ramaphosa’s application to review and set aside the November 2022 independent panel report, which found that he may have committed a serious constitutional violation over the theft of $580,000 hidden at his Phala Phala game farm.
Impeachment proceedings remain stalled by an interdict. Any appeal against the review judgment could suspend its operation and further delay the committee’s work into Ramaphosa’s possible impeachment by Parliament. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
Emfuleni fleet supplier nabbed
A suspect linked to a R16 million fleet tender awarded by the Emfuleni Local Municipality is set to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates Court on Monday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.
This comes after the 40-year-old was nabbed by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on Thursday at a mall in Pretoria following an investigation into the tender.
The supplier was contracted to deliver 18 vehicles, including municipal trucks, but only seven vehicles were delivered to the municipality.
“The 40-year-old suspect faces charges of corruption, fraud and theft and is expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on September 7.The arrest follows the earlier arrest of the municipality’s former fleet manager, who is currently out on bail in connection with the same investigation,” said the police. SAnews.gov.za
Housing fraud case delayed again
A City of Johannesburg housing official accused of fraudulently selling the homes of vulnerable families had her case postponed again on Thursday.
Cynthia Ntshangase, a receptionist at the Pimville housing office in Soweto, faces fraud and corruption charges following a Hawks investigation launched in December 2019 into the alleged unlawful sale of RDP and privately owned houses.
Ntshangase and another municipal official first appeared in court on 20 August 2025, but her co-accused has since died. The case has been repeatedly delayed over issues including the death certificate, defence consultations and the failure to bring the docket to court.
The National Prosecuting Authority told the court that investigations had been completed.
Magistrate Syfred Mati postponed the matter to October 27 after the defence requested further particulars under the Criminal Procedure Act.
Seventeen alleged victims attended the hearing, supported by anti-corruption collective Khuluma Mphakathi. Outside court, they chanted: “We need our houses.”
Lerato Qoza, who says she was also scammed, criticised the housing department for failing to suspend Ntshangase pending the outcome.
“They can postpone as much as they like, but the victims will have justice,” she said.
The City has promised consequence management if misconduct is confirmed against its officials. – GroundUp
