Former Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson returned to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday to continue her testimony, less than a few hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted her resignation from the anti-corruption unit.

Johnson resumed giving evidence as the commission continued examining the conduct of IDAC investigations into senior Crime Intelligence officials. Her testimony comes amid growing scrutiny of decisions taken under her leadership and follows several days of intense questioning before the commission.

Proceedings resumed with evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello seeking clarity on six investigations involving Crime Intelligence officials.

The investigations stem from a Section 27 affidavit submitted to IDAC by politician Fadiel Adams.

Sello questioned Johnson on how the directorate concluded that criminal offences had allegedly been committed involving the manipulation of security vetting processes and the unlawful issuing of security clearances.

Johnson told the commission that the conclusions reached by IDAC were based on allegations contained in Adams’ Section 27 affidavit and supplementary statements he later submitted to the directorate.

She said those documents formed the basis of the allegations that led to the investigations.

Sello further challenged Johnson on the extent to which she relied on investigators when authorising investigative steps.

She suggested that by placing unquestioning trust in investigators, she had left herself open to possible manipulation.

Johnson responded briefly, saying, “I take note.”

The commission also heard that Johnson signed a summons prepared by investigators probing allegations involving Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo and other senior South African Police Service officials.

Asked why she authorised the summons, Johnson said she had relied on the briefing provided by investigators.

“I had no reason to doubt the briefing given to me by the investigator. I didn’t ask for a document,” she told the commission.

Johnson said she was satisfied with the information presented to her and therefore authorised the summons.

During Monday’s proceedings, Johnson also conceded that it was possible IDAC investigators could have been conducting unauthorised investigations.

She maintained that she had no reason to doubt the information presented by investigators at the time and signed off on their requests based on those briefings.

Her appearance before the commission comes after President Ramaphosa accepted her resignation in terms of Section 12(8)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act of 1998.

The Presidency announced on Monday that Johnson had requested to step down as head of IDAC, bringing an end to her tenure while the commission continues to examine aspects of the unit’s investigations.

Her resignation has drawn political reaction.

The Democratic Alliance said Johnson’s departure could be attributed to sustained public pressure following her testimony before the commission.

Meanwhile, the Afrika Mayibuye Movement welcomed her resignation but argued that it should not mark the end of accountability.

In a statement issued on Monday, the movement described Johnson’s departure as “long overdue” and alleged that her leadership was characterised by abuse of power and poor decision-making.

The organisation criticised investigations involving senior Crime Intelligence officials, including Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo and Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, claiming they were pursued on the basis of unverified information.

The movement also referred to Johnson’s previous apology after she withdrew remarks describing Mokwele’s appointment as a “token appointment” following questioning before the commission.

Afrika Mayibuye further alleged that Johnson had misled Parliament during previous appearances and said her testimony before the commission exposed contradictions in her earlier evidence.

The organisation called on the Legal Practice Council to investigate Johnson’s conduct and determine whether she remains fit to practise as an advocate.

It also urged authorities to continue any investigations into her actions despite her resignation, arguing that stepping down should not end possible legal or disciplinary processes.

Throughout her evidence before the commission, Johnson has faced detailed questioning over IDAC’s handling of investigations into Crime Intelligence officials, the legal basis for those investigations and the procedures followed before summonses and other investigative measures were authorised.

The Madlanga Commission, established to investigate allegations relating to criminality, political interference and governance within law enforcement agencies, is expected to continue hearing Johnson’s testimony as it examines the role played by IDAC in several high-profile investigations involving senior police officials.