JOHANNESBURG - It is not over for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
"There are a lot of people doing a lot of good work," he says. However, there might be many issues at the NPA's corruption investigative arm. Therefore, the entire organisation cannot simply be discarded because of a few bad apples."
Kganyago said the NPA will work with IDAC to ensure it gets back on the right track.
"We believe in IDAC," he said.
"We work with them to regain the public's trust so that they too believe in IDAC," he said.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Andy Mothibi ordered the withdrawal of charges against Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and six others.
According to the NPA, the charges were withdrawn after representations were made by the various lawyers. Additionally, on 10 July Mothibi announced during a press conference that the matters involving Khumalo and the others would be reviewed.
"And that is exactly what he did," said Kganyago.
Khumalo and his co-accused faced fraud and corruption charges over the appointment of Brigadier Dineo Mokwele.
READ: Who’s following who? IDAC confirms issuing warrants of arrest for Khumalo, Madondo
Mothubi also considered, in terms of the law, the representation that was done by the lawyers of the accused and ultimately arrived at this decision.
The now-former IDAC head Andrea Johnson conceded that Mokwele was in fact qualified for the role.
Colonel Brian Padayachee admitted to the Commission that the industrial engineer was charged for a future crime.
Kganyago said it was easier to decide as the investigations were not yet completed. He could not be drawn into whether Johnson, who has since resigned from her position as IDAC head, will face any charges.
Kganyago said the police would have to investigate the matters further.
As for the charges against Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele and others, Kganyago said the charges would be reinstated if new information arises. He added that if investigators feel the matter needs to be re-enrolled, they will need approval from the NDPP.
"We want people to do everything according to the law and make sure cases are not about individuals," said Kganyago.