IDAC Investigator Mantsha Rapesu informed the Madlanga Commission on Friday of his intention to press criminal charges against a colleague for conspiring against him. He stated that he plans to file a lawsuit against colleagues Dylan Perumal and Brian Padayachi, alleging they attempted to harm him, but expressed concern that the case might be compromised.
Speaking before the Madlanga Commission on Friday, Rapesu recounted that he was excluded from key investigations, subjected to disciplinary action, and subsequently restricted from working on cases involving police officers and the security cluster.
He called on the commission to intervene and assign its own investigators, as he fears that a criminal complaint filed through standard channels might fall into 'the wrong hands.' In response to Rapesu's statement, commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels noted that 'the commissioners must deal with this matter.'
According to Rapesu, the tension arose after he questioned the methods used in investigations under his supervision. He informed the commission that while he was the lead investigator on the Brigadier Dineo Mokwele case, other members of the investigative team interviewed witnesses and discussed potential Section 204 agreements without notifying him.
Rapesu testified: 'Despite being the lead investigator on the Mokwele case, team members consulted with witnesses on this matter without my notification and without my involvement.' He added: 'Witnesses met, and agreements were made, similar to Section 204 agreements, which I was unaware of.'
He emphasized that such behavior undermines the integrity of investigations, stating: 'My position, and it remains so, is that no witness should consult without the knowledge of the lead prosecutor and the lead investigator.'
Rapesu showed that after expressing these concerns, he himself became the subject of disciplinary proceedings. He reported receiving a sealed courier package on February 10, 2025, from the personal assistant of former Head of Counsel Andrea Johnson, which contained a disciplinary letter dated February 7.
The letter accused him of leaking confidential information to an interested party, allegedly revealing that IDAC was investigating this person, that investigators intended to request this person's bank records, and naming the officer assigned to the case.
Rapesu denied all allegations. In his written response dated February 14, 2025, he stated that he had never disclosed confidential information to any suspect or interested party in any investigation under his responsibility.
To substantiate his denial, Rapesu offered to voluntarily submit his mobile phone for forensic examination, undergo a polygraph test, and requested that investigators obtain cell phone records and location data for all relevant parties to accurately determine where they were during the alleged communication.
He testified: 'I deny the allegation of misconduct brought against me, and the matter remains unresolved.'
Rapesu also informed the commission that although he continues to work at IDAC, he has effectively been sidelined and is no longer permitted to investigate certain categories of cases, particularly those concerning South African police officers and the security cluster. He concluded his testimony on Friday.
Meanwhile, the commission also heard from another investigator, Drushanth Ramsamy, regarding how Johnson advised her to leave the country if summoned to give testimony.
