Pretoria, South Africa – The South African Police Service (SAPS) finds itself embroiled in yet another scandal, as Member of Parliament (MP) Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC), has launched a blistering attack on KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, labelling him a “constitutional delinquent”.
These explosive allegations, made before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference within the justice system, have ripped open the lid on what Adams claims is a deeply compromised police force.
Adams’ testimony, delivered on Wednesday, painted a grim picture of a police service riddled with corruption and a top brass seemingly more interested in concealment than accountability. The core of his accusation stems from Mkhwanazi’s identification of Adams as one of two MPs who had access to classified information. Adams vehemently denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the classified documents were mysteriously slipped under his office door. Far from keeping silent, Adams claims he then used this information to open criminal cases against senior SAPS management, effectively turning the tables on his accusers.
“I do believe General Mkhwanazi is a constitutional delinquent. He rather wants me to cover it up,” Adams declared, his words echoing through the parliamentary chambers. This direct challenge to a high-ranking police official underscores the gravity of the situation and the deep-seated mistrust that permeates certain levels of government and law enforcement.
Further fuelling the fire, Adams expressed his unequivocal support for the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), a unit he described as a “total waste” that squandered a staggering R100 million annually. He argued that these funds could have been far better utilised to bolster crime-fighting resources in critical hotspots across the country, highlighting a perceived misallocation of vital resources within the SAPS.
The NCC leader did not stop there. He proceeded to lay bare what he described as a “murky picture” of crime intelligence operations. Among his most damning claims was the assertion that Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, the divisional commissioner, lacks the necessary security clearance for his position. Adams further alleged that the crime intelligence division is actively involved in money laundering activities, suggesting a systemic breakdown of integrity at the very heart of police operations.
These allegations are not isolated incidents. Adams has a history of clashing with Mkhwanazi, having previously laid charges of assault, kidnapping, fraud, and corruption against the Commissioner and other senior SAPS officials. He has consistently maintained that his efforts to expose corruption within the city, including tender fraud, have been met with threats and attempts to silence him.
Mkhwanazi, in turn, has dismissed these charges as an attempt to discredit him as he continues his own efforts to expose corruption within the police service.
The parliamentary ad hoc committee now faces the daunting task of sifting through these serious accusations. The public will be watching closely as MPs prepare to question Adams further on his testimony, with the promise of more revelations to come. The outcome of this inquiry could have far-reaching implications for the credibility and effectiveness of the SAPS, potentially leading to significant reforms or further entrenching the perception of a compromised institution.
This ongoing saga highlights the critical need for transparency and accountability within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. As the nation grapples with high crime rates, public trust in the police is paramount. The allegations made by MP Fadiel Adams serve as a stark reminder that the fight against corruption must extend to all levels of government, including those tasked with upholding the law.
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