By Umamah Bakharia

The appointment of experienced prosecutor advocate Andrea Johnson to take over from Hermione Cronje as the new head of the NPA Investigative Directorate have been widely welcomed.

Johnson is known through the pivotal role she played in the prosecutions of former police chief Jackie Selebi and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius.

Advocate Gerrie Nel, who worked closely with Johnson speaks to Radio Islam on her appointment in the NPA.

“This is the best decision the president has made so far, I am really elated,” says Nel. He adds, “Andrea being a prosecutor with a lot of experience, a prosecutor who understands what it takes to investigate and prosecute will have a focus on the prosecution.”

Nel says Johnson’s appointment shows that the Investigative Directorate (ID) is putting up an impression that it can prosecute crimes.

“At the moment I think it’s either inability or unwillingness to prosecute any of those serious matters,” says Nel.

In her public interview for the National Director of Public Prosecutions role, Johnson solidified her reputation as a ‘no-nonsense straight-talker, unafraid to name and shame members of the Zuma executive for attempted political interference in the NPA under the leadership of Abrahams.’

Johnson noted to the panel in the same interview that her strengths included crisis management, handling diversity issues – she won applause on social media for answering one question in isiZulu – and budget control.

The NPA suggested in its statement on Johnson’s appointment that her background in the Scorpions would prove particularly useful in leading the Investigating Directorate (ID).

“The Andrea that I know is not somebody that can be dictated and I think perhaps that is the important aspect of her character that could make her very successful,” says Nel.

He believes Johnson will be able to achieve two things at the ID: to stop the investigation paralysis where a matter is investigated with the intention not to prosecute. The other is that senior prosecutors should be present in court rather than only playing their role as managers.

“I really hope she gets the support she needs,” says Nel.