Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), has retracted her claim that crime intelligence official Brig Dineo Mokwele was unqualified for an engineering-related position, after reviewing his credentials.

This concession could undermine the credibility of the corruption probe against Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, who was accused of employing Mokwele without proper qualifications.Johnson admitted her initial assessment was based on incomplete information and that Mokwele's qualifications exceeded the job requirements.The admission follows scrutiny by commissioner Sandile Khumalo, who presented Mokwele's academic and professional credentials.

Johnson also acknowledged procedural errors in handling the case, including misjudging the jurisdiction of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act.

The case has sparked debates about the directorate's mandate and integrity, with calls for Johnson's suspension pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.The incident highlights ongoing challenges in South Africa's anti-corruption efforts and the scrutiny facing key officials.