Parliament has suspended National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams from the National Assembly for 20 sitting days after finding that his conduct had brought Parliament into disrepute, adding another chapter to the growing controversy surrounding the outspoken MP.
The suspension comes as Adams remains at the centre of several allegations that have emerged before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality and political interference in law enforcement, as well as matters involving the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
The decision means Adams will be barred from participating in National Assembly proceedings for the duration of the suspension.
The development coincides with progress in Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee, which on Tuesday voted to recommend senior counsel Advocate Thandazani Madonsela as its evidence leader.
Committee chairperson Makashule Gana announced that Madonsela secured nine votes against seven for Advocate Kate Hofmeyer. The ANC, Patriotic Alliance and Al Jama-ah abstained from the vote.
“Our role is to recommend. Parliament will make the appointment. We will recommend Adv Madonsela to Parliament and thereafter the necessary procurement processes will commence. The evidence leader will then appoint an assisting evidence leader,” Gana said.
The committee considered eight nominees, although several, including Advocate Sesi Baloyi, who is currently serving as a commissioner at the Madlanga Commission, declined to be considered.
Meanwhile, Adams’ name has repeatedly featured in testimony before the Madlanga Commission.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi once testified that Adams had allegedly used sensitive Crime Intelligence information to open a criminal case, despite not being authorised to possess the classified material.
Mkhwanazi then questioned how Adams had obtained the confidential records and said the circumstances under which they were used raised serious concerns. He alleged that Adams had access to sensitive Crime Intelligence documents and used them in criminal complaints, despite not being authorised to possess such information.
Adams has consistently denied wrongdoing. During previous parliamentary proceedings, he maintained that the documents had been anonymously delivered to him and that he reported alleged criminal conduct instead of concealing it.
Fresh claims also emerged at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday during testimony by IDAC prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy.
Ramsamy testified about what she described as links involving suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Adams, former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
According to Ramsamy’s evidence, Johnson allegedly visited Mchunu’s residence and knew the minister’s then chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde.
Those allegations were made under oath before the commission but have not been tested through cross-examination. Neither Mchunu, Johnson, Adams nor Nkabinde has been found guilty of any wrongdoing in relation to the claims, and they have previously denied allegations of improper conduct where they have responded publicly.
The Madlanga Commission continues to hear evidence into allegations of political interference, corruption and criminal infiltration within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies, while Parliament pursues separate accountability processes through its impeachment inquiry and disciplinary mechanisms.
