MP Fadiel Adams Testifies on Police Corruption Charges and Political Links at Madlanga Commission
2 sources · South Africa
Who reported this
- Daily Maverick
- Mail & Guardian
What the colours mean
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- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
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National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry regarding his decision to lay seven fraud and corruption charges against members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence division in October 2024. Adams stated that he opened the cases after finding classified intelligence documents slipped under his parliamentary office door. The charges targeted several high ranking officials, including Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, and alleged the abuse of secret security funds for the purchase of properties, vehicles, and a forklift. Adams also alleged that Brigadier Dineo Mokwele was appointed to her position through corrupt gratification and lacked the necessary qualifications, though the commission heard that she was in fact qualified and that the investigation into her appointment had procedural flaws.
Adams testified that he opened three cases in the Western Cape on 29 October 2024, and subsequently traveled to Johannesburg to open the same cases at the Orlando Police Station. He claimed he did this after being tipped off by the late General Andre Lincoln that the Western Cape dockets were being intercepted. Adams further testified that he was assisted at the Orlando station by a crime intelligence informant known as Witness G or Elvis, who is described as the handler of businessman Brown Mogotsi. On 1 November 2024, Adams emailed suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu to report the interception of his dockets and requested the minister's intervention.
The testimony highlighted a network of connections involving Mogotsi, who is alleged to have acted as a middleman between Mchunu and business associates. Evidence presented before the commission included WhatsApp messages from Mogotsi to alleged cartel leader Vusimuzi Matlala, suggesting the police unit raiding Matlala's house would be dealt with. Following this, Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team, which had been investigating Matlala, on 31 December 2024. While Adams denied that Mchunu influenced his decision to lay charges, the commission examined the timing of his request for help in relation to Mchunu's stated intention to clean up crime intelligence.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- Both sources from this lean focused on the systemic corruption and the specific network of political and criminal links, though one emphasized the commission's success in exposing Adams while the other focused on the credibility of his evidence.
Sources
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