Cape Town – Retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga has criticised suspended MP and National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams for taking months to submit his sworn statement to the commission investigating allegations of criminality and political interference.
Adams made a brief appearance before the commission on Tuesday to give evidence, allowing the leaders and commissioners sufficient time to consider his statement.
The commission had been requesting Adams’ statement since 3 October last year, but the suspended MP only submitted it after 9pm on Monday.
Adams attributed the delay to what he described as a faulty laptop, telling the commission that technical problems had resulted in him missing important emails. He said he had instead relied on phone calls and colleagues to keep him informed about matters relating to his work.
“Parliament can confirm that I have a very problematic laptop. It is either in for repairs or frozen,” Adams said.
Adams confirmed that he became aware of the commission’s emails approximately three to four months ago.
He also told the commission that he had been under the impression that further questions would be sent to him because his name had repeatedly featured during previous testimony.
“Eventually I realised that I wasn’t going to get a subpoena and that is why I emailed the commission,” he said.
Madlanga, however, was unconvinced by Adams’ explanation and questioned how he could effectively carry out his responsibilities as a parliamentarian if he was unable to reliably use his laptop.
“it seems to me that you are not taking this commission seriously and starting from now and going forward you should not treat this commission the way you have thus far because every and anything you’ve said thus far is just totally unbelievable” Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga
NCC… pic.twitter.com/U3GLKLtRLH
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) August 11, 2026
Madlanga also questioned whether Adams was taking the commission and the people he was elected to serve seriously.
“It seems to me that you are not taking this commission seriously,” Madlanga said.
Madlanga warned Adams that his approach could not continue and told him that he needed to take the commission’s work seriously going forward.
“And starting from now and going forward, you should not treat this commission the way you have thus far. Because everything you’ve said thus far is just totally unbelievable. I do not believe it,” he added.
Madlanga went further, suggesting that Adams’ explanation raised questions about his ability to perform his duties in Parliament.
“This should mean that you cannot function at Parliament as a parliamentarian.”
The retired judge said Adams’ explanation also raised concerns about whether he was taking his responsibilities towards the public seriously.
“If for as long as you suggest is the case, you have been using a laptop that you basically cannot use, you are not taking us as a commission seriously,” Madlanga said.
“And I would dare say, you are not even taking the people that you are supposed to serve seriously,” he added.
Madlanga reiterated his warning to Adams as the commission prepares to hear his evidence later this month.
“Starting from now going forward, you must take this commission seriously.”
Adams is expected to return before the commission on 19 August, when he will give evidence after commissioners and evidence leaders have had an opportunity to consider his recently submitted statement.
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Compliled by Glaan Sibuyi
