‘Get body bags ready’: IDAC head describes death threat and gate incident ahead of Khumalo arrest

Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), told the Madlanga commission she received a death threat in the days before the arrest of Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, The Citizen reports.

Who, what and when

According to The Citizen, Johnson gave evidence at the Madlanga commission on Tuesday and said she received a threatening message on her phone in the days leading up to Khumalo’s arrest. The Citizen reports the message read: “Mrs Idac, you and your guys, Shabalala, Perumal, Padayachi and Bellochun [sic] have gone too far. You’re going to wish you did not f*ck with us. Get body bags ready.”

According to The Citizen, Khumalo was arrested on 26 June 2025 in connection with the alleged irregular appointment of a former BMW employee to the rank of brigadier.

What Johnson told the commission

According to The Citizen, Johnson said the arrest followed a criminal complaint lodged by National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams.

Johnson told the commission that she had never before received a death threat in her career as a prosecutor.

“In my long career as a prosecutor, this is the first time that I received a death threat.”

Incident at her gate

According to The Citizen, Johnson also told the commission that days before the arrest someone accosted her and her daughter at their gate. She described the encounter, saying the person spoke to her in Zulu, replied in English when she answered, said “I want a lawyer,” then walked away and made a call from the corner of the road.

The Citizen reports Johnson said she did not include the death threat in her affidavit because she did not think it was related to Khumalo’s arrest at the time.

Security response

According to The Citizen, the threat was escalated to the National Prosecuting Authority’s risk and security division. Johnson said the NPA has since put several measures in place to protect her and her colleagues.

Ongoing inquiry

According to The Citizen, Johnson appeared at the Madlanga commission to respond to allegations that Idac had operated outside its mandate and that the probe into Khumalo and other Crime Intelligence officials was driven by interference at the South African Police Service.

The Citizen reports Johnson denied testimony that Khumalo’s arrest was intended to halt a criminal investigation in Gauteng.

The matter remains under investigation, The Citizen reports.