Deputy IDAC head Peter Serunye testifies as Madlanga Commission resumes

According to IOL, the Madlanga Commission resumed on Tuesday with Deputy Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Peter Serunye giving testimony as senior IDAC officials faced renewed scrutiny.

What happened at the hearing

The commission returned to public hearings that probe allegations of irregular decision-making and controversial investigations inside IDAC. Advocate Peter Serunye appeared before the commission on Tuesday, according to IOL.

Context: earlier testimony and allegations

According to IOL, Serunye’s appearance follows the testimony earlier this week by former IDAC chief Advocate Andrea Johnson, who remains central to allegations including claims she led a controversial initiative referred to as “Project Diversion” that allegedly targeted senior police officials.

Related evidence heard this week

According to IOL, the commission also heard from IDAC advocate Drushantha Ramsamy, whose testimony had been postponed the previous Thursday. Ramsamy described what she called irregular internal processes within the unit and said she was assigned to examine allegations that the Political Killings Task Team had misused the Secret Service’s slush fund. Those allegations originated from a whistleblower report submitted by National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams.

According to IOL, Ramsamy played an audio recording of a conversation with Advocate Andrea Johnson during her testimony. In that recording Johnson is heard saying:

“For him to make a comment that this is basic Law 101, I’m surprised you don’t know it with your 30 years’ experience.”

“The judge makes faces, and they laugh with each other while you’re still answering – it’s so unprofessional.”

Questions over authority and the commission’s focus

According to IOL, witness statements presented to the commission indicated that Johnson instructed Ramsamy in 2024 to begin a preliminary investigation into Fadiel Adams’ allegations. Testimony before the commission raised questions about whether Johnson had the authority to assign such investigations, with evidence suggesting responsibility lay elsewhere.

According to IOL, the commission is expected to continue focusing on IDAC and the allegations surrounding its operations for the remainder of the week.

Reporting

According to IOL, the coverage and video of these proceedings were published by IOL News.