Madlanga Commission | Adams alleges Crime Intelligence supplied weapon, vehicle in Magaqa murder

National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and suspended Member of Parliament (MP), Fadiel Adams, has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Crime Intelligence officials allegedly supplied the firearm and vehicle used in the murder of former African National Congress (ANC) Youth League secretary-general, Sindiso Magaqa.

Adams made the allegations while presenting his statement to the commission on Wednesday, claiming that a man he identifies as Magaqa’s killer has repeatedly attempted, for more than two years, to confess to the murder while in custody.

Adams identified the man as Sibusiso Ncengwa and told the commission that Ncengwa had submitted an affidavit in which he confessed to killing Magaqa.

Adams included the affidavit in his statement for the commission’s consideration.

He further alleged that Ncengwa told him that police officers accompanied him to and from the scene of the murder.

Adams also told the commission that police opened a case of fraud and obstruction of justice against him, accusing him of drafting Ncengwa’s affidavit.

He rejected the allegations, saying Ncengwa can only speak and write isiZulu, while he does not have a command of the language.

Magaqa was ambushed and shot alongside two colleagues while they were travelling in a vehicle on 13 July 2017.

He later died in a Durban hospital while pursuing allegations of corruption within local government.

Adams also denied claims that he unlawfully obtained classified police information or that he acts as a hired operative for criminal syndicates.

He said his political party regularly receives information from whistleblowers concerning the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other state institutions.

Adams also responded to allegations previously made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

He said he was surprised that Mkhwanazi appeared to be more concerned about him than about allegations that police case dockets had been intercepted by Pieter Jacobs.

Adams explained that during the final week of October, he discovered a document on the floor of his parliamentary office, which he believed had been pushed underneath his door.

He said receiving documents and information at parliamentary offices is not unusual.

According to Adams, parliamentary administrators sometimes leave documents outside members’ offices, while members of the public also regularly approach Parliament with information.

He said people from various organisations sometimes visit Parliament directly to lodge complaints, while others choose to submit their concerns through intermediaries.

Adams also rejected claims that he acts as a conduit for criminal cartels.

“Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi made allegations that I am a conduit for criminal cartels seeking to weaken the South African Police Service. This allegation is denied and it is false. It has been made without substantiation, in my view, in the same manner that several other statements made my Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi which have not been properly tested,” said Adams.

Adams further told the commission that he sees it as his responsibility to separate allegations that can be immediately verified from those that require investigation by the appropriate authorities.

He outlined his work as a councillor, saying he had dealt with matters involving alleged procurement irregularities, government contracts, firearm management and the conduct of public officials.

Adams said he generally did not investigate these allegations himself.

Instead, he said he referred them to the SAPS, specialised investigative bodies and other oversight institutions.

He also said it was well known that he had spoken out against certain law enforcement officials, adding that members of the public frequently approach him with complaints about such matters.

“My evidence should therefore be understood against the background of an individual who has over many years consistently engaged public institutions concerning allegations of corruption, maladministration and failure of accountability. Whether those allegations are ultimately established, is a matter for this commission and other competent authorities to decide,” said Adams.

Adams further maintained that his testimony before the commission is not motivated by political affiliations or ideological differences with individuals or institutions.

He said he regularly engages directly with government institutions when raising complaints.

Adams also commended the work of the Madlanga Commission and urged it to continue holding those implicated in criminal activities accountable.

He told the commission that he finds it deeply concerning that more than 170 killings occur in the community he represents on a weekly basis.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao