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Andrea Johnson Faces Parliament Over ‘Big Five’ Corruption Claims
A Justice System Under Siege
In a moment that has gripped South Africa’s political and legal circles, Advocate Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), appeared before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee this week. Her testimony comes amid one of the most serious probes into the country’s justice system in recent memory, an inquiry into the alleged infiltration of law enforcement by a shadowy criminal network known as the “Big Five.”
Chaired by Soviet Lekganyane, the committee began its hearings on 7 October 2025, investigating claims that senior officials across policing, intelligence, and government have been compromised. The allegations have sparked public outrage and reignited debate about political interference in the justice sector.
How the Storm Began
The inquiry was set in motion by explosive remarks made in July by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. During a press briefing, Mkhwanazi alleged that organised crime had “deeply infiltrated” South Africa’s security forces.
Central to his concerns was a controversial decision made on 31 December 2024 by then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who disbanded the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), a unit credited with investigating politically motivated assassinations. Mkhwanazi told the committee that this move crippled several ongoing investigations, some allegedly linked to members of the “Big Five.”
Andrea Johnson in the Hot Seat
Advocate Johnson’s testimony is seen as pivotal. As IDAC’s head, she was expected to clarify the directorate’s role in investigating internal corruption while facing questions about alleged “rogue elements” within her own institution.
Her appearance follows a series of witnesses, including suspended and former police ministers, intelligence heads, and senior SAPS officials, who described a justice system under mounting strain. Some alleged that IDAC officials themselves had interfered in sensitive cases, including the controversial arrest of Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo earlier this year.
Johnson, who leads the agency tasked with tackling corruption in law enforcement, used her testimony to address the complexity of prosecuting powerful networks that operate within the state itself. She acknowledged that systemic rot, political manipulation, and institutional mistrust have made reform both urgent and difficult.
The Bigger Picture
The “Big Five” inquiry has become a national flashpoint, not only because of the shocking allegations but also because it exposes the depth of the challenge facing South Africa’s democratic institutions. It touches on everything from police accountability to the independence of prosecutors and the blurred line between politics and justice.
For many South Africans, Johnson’s appearance represents more than a legal update. It’s a test of the country’s ability to confront corruption from the inside out.
What Comes Next
The committee will continue its hearings through Friday, with more senior figures expected to appear before Parliament. Their goal: to uncover how far the alleged criminal syndicate’s influence reaches and whether the justice system can still police itself.
For Johnson and her directorate, the days ahead could define their legacy and, perhaps, the country’s faith in law enforcement itself.
Also read: Top Spy Dumisani Khumalo and Senior Cops Back in Court Amid Corruption Battle
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
