Andrea Johnson ID

New ID head Andrea Johnson
Photo source: SABC News screen grab

Adv. Andrea Johnson appointed head of NPA’s Investigating Directorate

Adv. Andrea Johnson’s appointment to the NPA’s Investigating Directorate follows the resignation of Hermione Cronje in December

Andrea Johnson ID

New ID head Andrea Johnson
Photo source: SABC News screen grab

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Advocate Andrea Johnson as the new head of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate (ID). Johnson’s first day at the office is Tuesday, 1 March 2022 and takes over from Advocate Hermione Cronje, whose resignation was announced in December.

Johnson is no small fish, she once vied to become the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), but that post went to Advocate Shamila Batohi, who is still at the helm. She is currently Batohi’s deputy and has played a critical role in securing prosecutions in some of the country’s biggest cases, including disgraced former police Chief Jackie Selebi.

She boasts a 25-year career in including in district, regional and high court prosecutions and is currently serving on the NPA Task Force that is overseeing the implementation of the State Capture Report recommendations.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: NPA: Investigating Directorate head Hermione Cronje RESIGNS

TOUGH TASK AHEAD FOR ID HEAD ANDREA JOHNSON

With the State Capture Commission’s report being released, it’s an important period in the fight against corruption. As the ID Head, Andrea Johnson has a tough task ahead of her. The ID was established in 2019, with the aim of aiding the NPA in effectively prosecute state capture and other high-profile corruption cases.

“Adv. Andrea Johnson will be expected to lead the Investigating Directorate into the next phase of its work as the people of South Africa look to the criminal justice system to bring those responsible for state capture and corruption to book”

 “In this regard, the Investigating Directorate will be able to draw on the extensive information compiled by the State Capture Commission and is being strengthened through the allocation of more resources.”

Tyrone Seale, Acting Presidency spokesperson

Despite Adv. Andrea Johnson’s appointment, there is still a cloud of mystery surrounding Cronje’s decision to leave the ID well before her term was to come to an end. Media reports had claimed Cronje and Batohi had butted heads on several occasions and had a strained relationship, but this has been denied.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: ‘Dramatic reporting’: Batohi DENIES reports of a rift with ID head