MP Fadiel Adams Criticises General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi During Parliament Debate About His Allegations

• The National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams slammed the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
• Parliament engaged in a debate about the allegations he made against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya
• He accused Parliament of favouritism and berated Mkhwanazi for the press briefing he held

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

PARLIAMENT, WESTERN CAPE — South Africans slammed National Coloured Congress Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams after he berated KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for the press briefing in which he made allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya.

Adams was speaking during the Portfolio Committees on Justice and Police's debate held to discuss the allegations Mkhwanazi made. Adams asked why Parliament was comfortable talking about the alleged lie that Mchunu told in Parliament when he said that he did not know businessman Brown Mogotsi, but not about the alleged lie National Commissioner Fannie Masemola told about a Brigadier that was brought from BMW.

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Adams slams Mkhwanazi

Adams accused Parliament of targeting certain people.

"We are eulogizing General Mkhwanazi. That staged press conference with a general who now seeks additional protection with what looked like an armed militia behind him was a threat to this country. Let us call it what it is," he said.

He accused Mkhwanazi of trying to incite policemen to take action if something happened to him. He said that Masemola could be arrested, and the press conference was nothing more than a preemptive move. He called on Mkhwanazi and Masdemola to appear before Parliament.

What happened during the press briefing?

Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Sibiya of working together to disband the Political Killings Task Team in 2024 because it was investigating a drug syndicate that involved members of the police force, ministers, members of Parliament, members of the judiciary, businesses, and prosecutors.

He also linked Mchunu to businessman Brown Mogotsi and tenderpreneur Cat Matlala, who is currently incarcerated on charges of attempted murder.

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What you need to know about Mkhwanazi's allegations

• Mchunu and Sibiya responded to the allegations and said that Mkhwanazi was unprofessional.
• However, Mchunu later admitted that he knew Brown Mogotsi and said he was a businessman and a comrade.
• Mchunu was placed on special leave, and President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a commission of inquiry into Mkhwanazi's allegations.
• Sibiya was also placed on special leave to allow the Commission to investigate the allegations.
• Masemola also weighed in on the press briefing and confirmed that he was not aware of the letter disbanding the Political Killings Task Team.

Who is Fadiel Adams?

Fadiel Adams is the founder and leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC). He initially established the party in 2020 under the name Cape Coloured Congress and was elected to the Cape Town City Council in the 2021 municipal elections.

In 2023, the party rebranded as the National Coloured Congress, signalling its ambition to expand beyond the Western Cape and contest the 2024 national elections. The NCC secured two seats in Parliament, with Adams himself elected as a Member of the National Assembly.

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In February, Fadiel Adams was found to have violated Parliament’s Code of Ethical Conduct following a controversial Facebook video in which he made sexist, racially charged, and offensive remarks.

The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests recommended that Adams face a formal reprimand, a 15-day suspension from parliamentary sittings, and a corresponding salary deduction.

Political parties react to Ramaphosa's family meeting announcement

In a related article, Briefly News reported that political parties, including the Democratic Alliance, the Economic Freedom Fighters, and the MK Party, reacted to Ramaphosa's establishment of a Commission of Enquiry and Mchunu's leave of absence. The MK Party and the EFF were not happy about the announcements.

The EFF accused Ramaphosa of violating the constitution when he appointed an acting minister who was not in parliament. The MK Party slammed the Commission of Inquiry.

Source: Briefly News