Over the past year, the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has been positioned as South Africa's answer to tackling high-level corruption and restoring public confidence in the justice
system. But instead of only pursuing corruption, the institution now finds itself at the centre of controversy. Today's proceedings at the Madlanga Commission have once again put IDAC under intense scrutiny. Its head, Advocate Andrea Johnson, revealed that she had recused herself from investigations involving senior Crime Intelligence officers because of a conflict of interest, while
also defending the unit against allegations that it has been used to pursue politically motivated cases. So, is IDAC facing the growing pains of a new institution taking on powerful interests, or are these controversies undermining its credibility before it has had the chance to establish itself? And what will it take for South Africa's newest anti-corruption body to win the public's trust while remaining independent, effective and free from political interference? Tonight, we unpack the challenges facing IDAC and what they mean for the country's fight against corruption.