Madlanga Commission probes affidavit discrepancies in Idac corruption investigation

The Madlanga Commission is investigating whether affidavits were fabricated or altered during an investigation by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) into high level police corruption. National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams, the original complainant, testified that his referral to Idac included allegations regarding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and the use of crime intelligence funds. However, the affidavit submitted by former Idac head Andrea Johnson did not contain these allegations, leading commissioners to question if the document was fabricated. This discrepancy is central to a broader inquiry into how the investigation expanded from Adams' initial complaint to target senior police officials, including suspended police commissioner Fannie Masemola and former Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo.

Adams testified that he provided only one account of events and that any differences in documentation are the responsibility of those who preserved the records. He has since opened a case against Idac and chief investigator Dylan Perumal regarding the handling of the now collapsed case against crime intelligence generals. During his testimony, Adams also admitted to misleading suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu by claiming that corruption case dockets had been intercepted. Commissioner Sesi Baloyi described Adams' conduct as a well orchestrated scheme that stinks of machination.

Reporting on the event differs by political lean. A center left source frames the proceedings as a scrutiny of Idac's expanding investigation and the potential manipulation of police records. A center right source focuses more on the contradictions in Adams' testimony and the suggestions that he and others may have engaged in a scheme to mislead the commission and the police minister.