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

By Samantha Allen

Published: March 2, 2022 | 10:05 PM GMT

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.

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.

About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.