Kubayi orders lifestyle audits, suspensions and case reviews to rebuild trust in IDAC

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has announced a package of reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC). The measures were presented at a media briefing on Thursday alongside National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi, after the resignation of former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson.

What the government will do

Kubayi said the government has begun a comprehensive reset of IDAC to improve accountability, efficiency and operational effectiveness. Immediate interventions she outlined include:

• An audit of all 146 IDAC employees’ qualifications and job profiles.
• Lifestyle audits for every staff member.
• A full review of all active cases to be conducted by an experienced investigator seconded from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
• Revised standard operating procedures for the directorate.
• Efforts to strengthen in-house digital forensic capabilities.

Suspensions and oversight

Kubayi confirmed that Chief Investigator Dylan Perumal has been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings. She also said that Brian Padayachee and Suneel Bellochun have already been suspended as disciplinary action continues against officials implicated in misconduct.

She highlighted the establishment of an IDAC Oversight Office, led by retired Judge Takalani Raulinga, which has been tasked with investigating complaints and allegations of improper conduct within the directorate.

Responding to calls to disband IDAC and questions about demographics

Kubayi rejected calls from some political parties and civil society groups to disband IDAC following allegations involving the former head and several investigators. She argued that institutions should not be judged solely by the actions of individuals and said corruption within the organisation should be tackled through stronger accountability mechanisms rather than dismantling the unit.

Addressing perceptions about the racial composition of IDAC staff, Kubayi presented demographic figures: she said 81.2% of investigators are African, and that prosecutors are 50% Africans, 32.5% whites and 17.5% Indians. She emphasised that misconduct must be addressed regardless of race and that “Wrongdoing is wrongdoing,” she said.

Legislative changes under consideration

Kubayi said recent events exposed weaknesses in the legislative framework governing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and that a review of the NPA Act is planned. Proposed reforms she mentioned include introducing fixed terms of office for Directors of Public Prosecutions and for the head of IDAC instead of permanent appointments, strengthening internal checks and balances, and removing situations in which prosecutors must authorise warrants involving their own colleagues.

Appeal for support

Kubayi described the 18-month-old directorate as having significant potential to become an effective anti-corruption agency and urged South Africans to support IDAC through the reform process. She said she remains confident that many investigators and prosecutors within the directorate continue to serve with integrity and deserve public support as reforms proceed.