IDAC prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy played a secret phone recording before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday 30 July 2026 in which former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson told her to leave the country if summoned to testify and described the commission as a sh*t show. Image: supplied
A secret phone recording played before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday 30 July 2026 has exposed former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson. The Andrea Johnson Ramsamy recording captures Johnson telling IDAC prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy to leave the country if the commission called her to testify. Furthermore, Johnson called the commission a sh*t show and accused commissioners of being unprofessional. As a result, the commission will formally recall Johnson to respond to the new claims.
What Is on the Andrea Johnson Ramsamy Recording
Ramsamy made the recording on 22 July 2026. That was one of the days Johnson was testifying before the commission. Ramsamy told the commission she recorded the call because she no longer trusted Johnson. Johnson had thrown her under the bus multiple times during her testimony. Furthermore, the 12-minute recording captures Johnson trying to find information commissioners had asked her about. As a result, the recording reveals exactly what Johnson thought of the commission in private while sitting before it in public.
The most damning line is Johnson telling Ramsamy: “If they call you, you leave the country.” Johnson also said: “We have to figure out a way for you not to go there.” She then coached Ramsamy on how to distance herself from investigations. “You didn’t know Section 28, you didn’t know Section 27, you know nothing,” Johnson allegedly said. Furthermore, she told Ramsamy the commission was “going to make our names sh*t.” As a result, legal observers say the recording is evidence of an attempt to obstruct the commission’s work.
Johnson also attacked commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on the recording. “He makes faces, they laugh with each other while you’re still answering. It’s so unprofessional,” Johnson allegedly said. Furthermore, she expressed frustration that commissioners had questioned IDAC’s understanding of the law. As a result, the recording shows a witness who presented one face to the commission while privately mocking it.
Ramsamy Accuses Johnson of Lying to the Commission
Ramsamy’s testimony went far beyond the recording. She told the commission Johnson had not been honest in her evidence. “Johnson told many untruths about me and my involvement in what is known as the Mokwele case,” Ramsamy said. She claimed Johnson misrepresented her role in the IDAC investigation into Crime Intelligence Technical Support head Lieutenant General Dineo Mokwele. Furthermore, Ramsamy told the commission that Johnson and colleague Dylan Perumal launched an orchestrated attack against National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo using IDAC’s tools. As a result, Ramsamy’s testimony directly contradicts what Johnson said during her six days on the witness stand.
Ramsamy also told the commission she had wanted to make a protected disclosure about Johnson’s conduct earlier. However, she waited until former NDPP Shamila Batohi left office. Batohi had protected Johnson, Ramsamy said. “Nothing would have been done,” she said of that period. Furthermore, the appointment of new NDPP Andy Mothibi made her and other prosecutors “a little braver.” As a result, Ramsamy’s decision to come forward was shaped by NPA internal politics as much as by the commission itself.
What Happens Next After the Andrea Johnson Ramsamy Recording
The commission initially raised concerns about airing Ramsamy’s allegations publicly before Johnson could respond. However, evidence leaders argued Ramsamy had already disclosed the information through protected channels before Johnson left the witness stand. The commission accepted that argument. As a result, Ramsamy testified in full and the commission will formally recall Johnson to face the new allegations.
This recording is the single most damaging piece of evidence heard at the Madlanga Commission in the context of IDAC’s leadership. It captures the head of South Africa’s top anti-corruption unit telling a subordinate how to dodge a commission of inquiry while presenting herself publicly as a cooperative witness. Furthermore, telling someone to leave the country if summoned may itself amount to interference with commission proceedings. As a result, Thursday’s session may be remembered as the day the Madlanga Commission broke open one of the most significant cover-up attempts in its entire investigation.
For more on the Madlanga Commission visit thepresidency.gov.za.
Editors Note All allegations are unproven and will be tested through the appropriate legal processes. Andrea Johnson has been recalled to respond to the new allegations. She is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. Drushantha Ramsamy’s testimony represents her own account and has not been tested or accepted as fact by the commission at this stage. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.