State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy has told the Madlanga Commission that she believes there was an organised effort to remove National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo from their positions. Her testimony formed part of the commission’s inquiry into investigations conducted by the former Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
Ramsamy appeared before the commission on Wednesday, where she described how investigations into alleged corruption within Crime Intelligence were handled. She claimed the process departed from standard investigative practice and alleged that investigators sought out complainants instead of waiting for formal complaints to be submitted.
Her evidence also included allegations involving Democratic Alliance MP Ian Cameron, ActionSA MP Dereleen James and former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson. Both Cameron and James were named during her testimony, although James has denied the allegations made against her.
Drushantha Ramsamy Claims MPs Were Approached During Crime Intelligence Investigation
The Drushantha Ramsamy testimony alleged that IDAC investigator Dylan Perumal approached Ian Cameron and Dereleen James to become complainants in investigations involving Crime Intelligence. She further claimed that top-secret Crime Intelligence documents were shared with them.
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Ramsamy told the commission: “They went to him (Cameron) with a specific narrative and he was on board… my understanding of the narrative by then was exactly what they were perpetuating – that General Khumalo and General Masemola need to leave, they need to be gone.”
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi asked Ramsamy whether she believed Cameron knowingly participated in the alleged campaign or had been misled. Ramsamy replied that she believed he supported the narrative.
Dereleen James Rejects Allegations Made At Madlanga Commission
The Madlanga Commission also heard evidence relating to ActionSA MP Dereleen James. Ramsamy alleged that James had been expected to provide information concerning alleged COVID-19 procurement irregularities but instead lodged a complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
James has rejected Ramsamy’s account and denied receiving classified documents.
“I must clarify that I never received classified documents under the door of my parliamentary office… The disgraced IDAC investigators were telling a blatant lie when they claimed that I received documents under the door of my parliamentary office,” James said in a statement.
She added that her decision to pursue the matter followed media reports alleging that Crime Intelligence had purchased hotels.
Madlanga Commission Hears Claims About Fannie Masemola Briefing
The Madlanga Commission also heard allegations involving former IDAC head Advocate Andrea Johnson. Ramsamy claimed Johnson instructed investigators not to brief General Fannie Masemola about several Crime Intelligence investigations before he appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police.
According to Ramsamy, Johnson wanted Masemola to testify before the committee without being aware of the investigations.
“Johnson said that the National Commissioner should not be informed of the investigation. She said the National Commissioner would appear at the Portfolio Committee on Policing soon and we should ‘let him lie’ at the Portfolio Committee,” Ramsamy testified.
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Commissioner Sesi Baloyi questioned whether the decision pointed to an attempt to target Masemola. Ramsamy said she believed it did, arguing that while some members of the Portfolio Committee were aware of aspects of the investigations, Masemola was deliberately kept uninformed.
The Madlanga Commission is expected to continue on Thursday with evidence from another witness.
