The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry continued hearing evidence on Thursday, with Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy delivering damning testimony against former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson.
Ramsamy alleged that Johnson cultivated a culture of fear and intimidation within the organisation, frequently departed from established procedures and ignored concerns raised by staff members.
Proceedings briefly came to a halt early on Thursday after evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello SC requested time for Ramsamy’s witness statement and its extensive annexures to be printed before being handed to parties.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga immediately raised concerns about fairness, noting that the statement contained serious new allegations against Johnson which had not been put to her while she was giving evidence before the commission.
Evidence leader Advocate Lee Segeels Ncube explained that the allegations only emerged during Johnson’s recent testimony and that Ramsamy’s statement had only been finalised on Wednesday evening. She said a Rule 3 notice would be served on Johnson to ensure she had an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
Once proceedings resumed, Ramsamy disputed several aspects of Johnson’s evidence, telling the commission that the former IDAC head had given what she described as “many untruths” during her testimony.
She specifically challenged Johnson’s account of the Brigadier Dineo Mokwele matter, saying her version of events was inaccurate.
Ramsamy testified that Johnson personally selected her to work on the Medicare24 investigation, known internally as Project Diversion, because she believed that, as an advocate, Ramsamy would not question her decisions.
“I confirm that I prepared documents on Adv. Johnson’s instructions that were not in accordance with IDAC’s standard operating procedures,” Ramsamy told the commission.
She said she had raised concerns after assessing the merits of the referral involving National Coloured Congress Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams but claimed the processes followed ignored those concerns.
According to Ramsamy, Johnson repeatedly instructed her to prepare documents that were inconsistent with IDAC’s normal operating procedures.
She also described Johnson’s leadership style as authoritarian.
Ramsamy testified that Johnson “managed with an iron fist” and said many employees felt intimidated in the workplace.
She alleged that staff members were forced to carry out instructions even when they believed those instructions were incorrect or inconsistent with proper procedures.
According to Ramsamy, Johnson frequently changed her position on matters, earning the nickname “Flip flop” among staff members.
She claimed discussions with Johnson often changed direction after chief investigator Dylan Perumal became involved, alleging Johnson would reverse or alter positions once Perumal expressed a different view.
Ramsamy said this inconsistency created uncertainty among employees and made it difficult for staff to know which procedures they were expected to follow.
She further told the commission that the working environment had become so difficult that it affected staff wellbeing.
Referring to the organisation’s wellness report, Ramsamy said employees required counselling not because of the sensitive corruption cases they handled, but because of the internal workplace environment.
She testified that workers who questioned instructions or failed to comply with Johnson’s directives often received strongly worded emails or became the subject of internal investigations.
According to Ramsamy, this created a climate of fear where employees were reluctant to raise concerns or challenge decisions.
She said intimidation became part of the organisational culture under Johnson’s leadership.
The commission also heard that Ramsamy is expected to give further evidence relating to statements obtained from Adams as part of the Project Diversion investigation.
The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is continuing to investigate allegations relating to the functioning of IDAC, including claims of improper investigations, internal governance failures and alleged interference in investigative processes.
Ramsamy’s testimony is expected to continue as the commission examines her allegations against Johnson and the handling of the Project Diversion investigation.
