President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted Advocate Andrea Johnson’s request to resign as head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption with immediate effect.

The Presidency confirmed the decision on Monday, 27 July 2026. Johnson had asked to leave within 24 hours and requested that the three-month notice period in her contract be waived.

Ramaphosa accepted the request under the National Prosecuting Authority Act. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the president thanked Johnson for her years of service at the National Prosecuting Authority and her leadership of IDAC.

The president also assured NPA leaders and employees that the government remained committed to supporting their work against crime and corruption.

Madlanga Commission scrutiny

Johnson’s departure follows intense questioning at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry over investigations involving senior Crime Intelligence officials.

During cross-examination, she withdrew and apologised for describing Brigadier Dineo Mokwele’s appointment as a “token appointment”. She acknowledged that she had not reviewed Mokwele’s qualifications before making the statement.

Johnson also conceded that parts of evidence she previously presented to Parliament were incorrect.

Complaints were later lodged against her. However, the complaints and allegations have not resulted in findings of wrongdoing against Johnson.

Johnson cites reputational damage

In her resignation letter, Johnson said the previous five months had been challenging. She claimed attacks against her personally and professionally were unprecedented.

She said much of the criticism was linked to cases pursued by IDAC against Crime Intelligence officials. According to Johnson, the controversy had created negative attention and posed a reputational risk to both IDAC and the NPA.

Johnson said she could not allow herself to become the reason the institutions faced further reputational damage.

She also noted that allegations against her remained unproven but argued that resolving the matter could require another costly and lengthy inquiry.

Johnson has worked within the prosecution service for around 30 years. She became head of the Investigating Directorate in 2022 before the unit became permanent and was renamed IDAC.