Ramaphosa accepts sudden exit of Andrea Johnson
The Andrea Johnson resignation was confirmed on Monday, as the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption head vacates office immediately.
Following weeks of intense scrutiny in Pretoria, President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally accepted Andrea Johnson’s resignation.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head has vacated her office with immediate effect, bypassing her contractual notice period of three months. Her departure stems from a challenging appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which exposed deep flaws in her high-profile corruption prosecutions.
According to a media statement issued by the Presidency on Monday, 27 July 2026, Ramaphosa’s decision followed a direct recommendation by Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi, which was “supported by National Director of Public Prosecutions Andy Mothibi”.
“President Ramaphosa thanked Advocate Johnson for her years of service in the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] and as the head of IDAC. The president assures the leadership and staff of the NPA of government’s unwavering support for its work in the fight against crime and corruption,” the statement read in part.
Writing to Mothibi, Johnson cited “unprecedented” attacks on her professional capacity over the past five months. She noted she did not want to subject the NPA to further “reputational risk” or Financial Action Task Force scrutiny.
Andrea Johnson resignation: What went wrong at Madlanga Commission?
Johnson was forced to publicly recant, before Commissioner Sandile Khumalo, the labelling of the hiring of Crime Intelligence Brigadier Dineo Mokwele as a “token appointment”. Khumalo dismantled IDAC’s case, revealing Johnson had recommended fraud charges without ever reviewing Mokwele’s curriculum vitae.
Additionally, Johnson erroneously claimed Mokwele facilitated the looting of funds based on incorrect information.
A formal complaint has also been lodged with the IDAC Ombud against Johnson for alleged prosecutorial abuse, emanating from a concession she made in improperly soliciting a Section 27 affidavit against suspended Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo.
The fallout also involved Major-General Feroz Khan, who recently survived an attempted assassination days before his scheduled testimony. Johnson denied allegations of leaking criminal complaint details to Khan, though she admitted maintaining contact with him outside of work.
Exit after 30 years
In her resignation request, the 55-year-old advocate emphasised her 30 years of service to the NPA.
While she had initially filed for retirement ahead of her 56th birthday, she requested an immediate resignation, to supposedly avoid drawing Ramaphosa or Mothibi into drawn-out court battles.