Madlanga Commission says it expects Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Advocate Andrea Johnson to testify as soon as possible after learning she has recovered from illness, been discharged from hospital and returned to work.
Johnson was unable to appear before the commission on July 13 after she was rushed to hospital hours before she was due to give evidence.
Her legal team informed the inquiry that she had been hospitalised and was medically unfit to testify.
Now that Johnson has resumed her duties, the commission said arrangements were under way to secure a new date for her testimony as it continued investigating allegations involving the country’s anti-corruption agency.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said on Friday there was no indication that Johnson remained ill and stressed that the commission was keen to hear her evidence without further delay.
“As far as we are aware, she is no longer ill. There’s no indication of that, and so I think you can expect that.
“Certainly, the commission needs to and wants to hear from her as soon as possible, hear the testimony and her responses to a whole range of serious issues,” Michaels said.
He said the commission expected to provide an update on Johnson’s appearance within the next few days.
Johnson is expected to respond to allegations that she protected Crime Intelligence Major-General Feroz Khan from prosecution.
The commission has heard allegations that Johnson interfered in the investigation into an assault case involving Khan.
Retired Hawks investigator Colonel Kobus Roelofse testified that he was informed Johnson instructed investigators not to pursue certain aspects of the case, fuelling allegations that the investigation may have been improperly influenced.
Johnson is also expected to answer additional allegations raised during evidence by Witnesses N and O, whose testimony centres on IDAC’s conduct and its handling of investigations linked to Crime Intelligence.
Meanwhile, Hawks Captain Mark McLean told the commission about allegations that Khan used a pen to assault Crime Intelligence Brigadier Leonora Phetlhe during a confrontation, allegedly leaving her with multiple injuries.
An audio recording played before the inquiry captured a heated exchange in which Khan allegedly insisted on being addressed by his rank.
After Phetlhe called him “Khan”, he allegedly replied: “I’m General Khan to you. I’m not your friend.”
He then said: “Have I ever called you Phetlhe? I always address you as brigadier.”
The recording ends with Khan allegedly telling Phetlhe that “a pen is very powerful” shortly before the alleged assault.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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