Matthew Sesoko

The reporting structure of IDAC includes the Investigating Director (Advocate Andrea Johnson) at the top, with Head of Investigations and Operations (Mr Matthew Sesoko) reporting directly to the ID, alongside four Deputy Directors who also report to the ID.

“The Investigating Director, Advocate Andrea Johnson, heads the unit. The Head of Investigations and Operations, the position is held by Mr Matthew Sesoko. He sits at the same level as Deputy Directors and reports directly to the Investigating Director.”

Operationally, teams report to Mr Sesoko, who acts like a CEO managing daily operations and briefs the Investigating Director.

“Yes. Chair, we report to Mr Sesoko, we brief him as the investigation, as we are busy with the investigation, we call him, we even make reports, quarterly reports and there is a structure which he is heading where on a monthly basis we meet and we then present these cases to him with a view that he will then brief the ID on how far the cases are, where we need resources will inform him, where we are having challenges, we inform him.”

Mr Sesoko does not advise on legal issues such as charges or prosecutions but focuses on operational management.

“No, it is not Commissioner. He does not question issues up to that level where he can say why these charges, why not those charges or why. No, it is more to report to him about the progress and where we are having challenges. It is not about him advising on - I know Mr Sesoko used to be a prosecutor many years ago but the function here for him is not to advise on legal issues or anything, he is more of a CEO in charge of our daily operations, yes.”

Reporting to Mr Sesoko on a monthly basis is a requirement per the operations manual, and project managers are responsible for preparing these reports.

“That happens. It is a requirement. Project managers are in charge of, they are responsible for doing those reports. Our meetings are held or at least were held monthly, yes, with Mr Sesoko and then we will then report on these cases.”

The reporting is about progress and challenges and does not include Mr Sesoko advising on prosecution decisions.

“No, it is not Commissioner. He does not question issues up to that level where he can say why these charges, why not those charges or why. No, it is more to report to him about the progress and where we are having challenges. It is not about him advising on - I know Mr Sesoko used to be a prosecutor many years ago but the function here for him is not to advise on legal issues or anything, he is more of a CEO in charge of our daily operations, yes.”

The committee called OMC (Operations Management Committee), headed by Mr Sesoko, meets monthly as part of the reporting and management structure at IDAC.

“Yes, this committee that is headed by Mr Sesoko.”

ADV Serunye emailed Advocate Johnson on 25 August, attaching a trial preparation document and expressing the view that the enrolment was rushed and that the case showed a prima facie case of fraud but not corruption based on available evidence.

“I sent an email at 11:44 on the 25th of August to Advocate Johnson, copied PA Ms Sekhukhune, and Mr Matthew Sesoko, with subject status Khumalo and Others, and then I put in an attachment... There is an attachment to that email. Trial Preparation Document 3. I said to the ID that: “Khumalo and Others matter refs. Attached, please find a copy of my trial preparation note 3 addressed to the team. My view is that the enrolment was rushed. However, there is a prima facie case of fraud (not corruption) at least not on the available evidence.””

ADV Serunye did not receive a response from Advocate Johnson or Mr Sesoko to the email containing the trial preparation document but is certain the email was received.

“I did not get any response to this email... No, I had not... I sent it to her email, and this time copied her PA. I am sure she got it... She did not respond. I do not have proof of that, but I sent it to her.”

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption Operations Manual is signed by Matthew Sesoko, Head of Investigations and Operations, and Advocate A Johnson, Investigating Directorate, Director IDAC, dated 16 October 2024.

“The last paragraph or portion of that page 10 is the signature of Mr Matthew Sesoko. He is the Head of Investigations and Operations, also known as the second in charge of our office. And then thereafter is the signature of Advocate A Johnson, Investigating Directorate, Director IDAC. Please note that the date also indicate 16 October 2024. This is version 2.”

Ms Ramsamy provided documents showing the standard operating procedure and case selection criteria directives issued and signed by Advocate Johnson and Mr Matthew Sesoko, Head of Investigation, in October 2024 and August 2022 respectively.

“I will deal with the section 27 referrals based on my personal experience and understanding of the SOP, case selection, criteria directive issued and signed by Advocate Johnson and Mr Sesoko in October 2024 and in August 2022 respectively.”

There is a standard operating procedure manual called the IDAC Operation Manual issued and signed by Advocate Johnson and Mr Matthew Sesoko on 16 October 2024.

“There was, and still is, a standard operating procedure referred to as the IDAC Operation Manual issued and signed by Advocate Johnson and Mr Matthew Sesoko, the Head of Investigation, on 16 October 2024, which I have also provided to the Commission.”

Mr Johnson made a formal arrangement to ensure the flow of documents to the Commission would continue after his departure by designating Mr Matthew Sesoko, Head of Operations at IDAC, as the next point of contact for document procurement.

“What I did indicate to Counsel is that when I am not there, the next person to be able to approach for documents would be Mr Matthew Sesoko. He is the Head of Operations at IDAC and in terms of the structure, falls immediately below the Investigating Director.”

Mr Johnson called a meeting on Friday to obtain requested information including the A1 Statement of Adams, making a formal request at that meeting and briefing Mr Sesoko to follow up.

“I did call a team meeting on Friday in order to also get information that was requested amongst others, the A1 Statement of Adams, that is how I got it. I did make the request there. Advocate Ramsamy was not in that meeting and the project manager undertook that he will find out from her if she has that file. Given that I had done that, I would just send Mr Sesoko a reminder as soon as we have an adjournment to please follow up on that process.”

Mandla Mahlangu confirmed to Matthew Sesoko that he had been approached by Khomo, a Crime Intelligence official working at IPID.

“Mahlangu confirmed that he had been approached by Khomo... Khomo was the Crime Intelligence official working in IPID”