IDAC investigators probed by IPID on torture allegations

Andrea Johnson, the head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), finds herself at the centre of a controversy involving her alleged interference in an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

The matter centres on two senior investigators from IDAC  who have been implicated in allegations of assault and torture inflicted on a woman.

The identities of the investigators are known to the Daily News.

Johnson received a letter dated August 22, 2024 from IPID, requesting assistance from her to ensure that the investigators cooperated fully in providing warning statements regarding allegations made against them.

The letter, which was viewed by the Daily News, detailed accusations involving the mistreatment of the victim, who claimed she was assaulted during the execution of a search warrant in November 2018.

The victim alleged that during an intense investigation, she was not only assaulted by the two officers but later transported to an unknown location where she was tortured and intimidated.

In her correspondence to IPID, the victim described the experience and detailed the persistent suicidal thoughts stemming from her ordeal at the hands of the law enforcement officials.

She claimed they abused their power.

“I was refused legal representation when this team interrogated me for two days, thereby violating my constitutional rights,” her statement read.

Johnson promptly responded to IPID, and sought clarification on whether her investigators were being treated as suspects or witnesses.

However, after an initial response stating that IPID had received a case docket from the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding allegations of torture against her investigators, communication from Johnson seemingly stalled, which complicated IPID's investigation efforts.

As the attorneys for the victim await a conclusion to their two year long battle for justice, it is believed that the IDAC has positioned itself defensively, asserting that the allegations against the investigators may have been fabricated.

The Daily News directed questions to the IDAC regarding the allegations made against Johnson and the investigators.

"A meeting was held at IDAC offices," was all the IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame said in response.

It is also alleged that one of the IDAC investigators in question was currently evading arrest in a separate fraud case.

The Saps investigating officer in the fraud matter believes that the IDAC investigator was being "protected" .

In an affidavit, the investigating officer in the fraud matter said that his efforts to apprehend the IDAC investigator had faced serious obstacles.

DAILY NEWS