Adams dodges question after Mkhwanazi called him a ‘hired gun’ at Madlanga Commission

Suspended MP Fadiel Adams avoided answering why KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had described him as a “hired gun” for cartels when he testified at the Madlanga Commission.

Adams rejects ‘hired guns’ label

Adams told the commission on Wednesday that the criminal complaints he and other members of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) had lodged were intended to expose alleged fraud and corruption and recover money allegedly stolen from state coffers. He rejected Mkhwanazi’s characterisation of him and NCC members as “hired guns.”

Claims of threats and an audio recording

Adams said his work fighting crime had made him a target and that he had reported alleged threats. He told the commission that investigators had obtained a recording involving former gang boss Faik Moses, which he said supported his allegations about threats against him.

“They have got a three-minute or four-minute recording of Moses speaking to me, not denying that this is what happened,”

Adams said.

He further alleged the information pointed to a plot in which Cape Town DA councillor JP Smith was implicated.

Mkhwanazi’s account and broader accusations

Mkhwanazi has presented a different account. He has accused Adams of supplying unverified criminal complaints that were allegedly used by the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) to target senior South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership.

The KZN commissioner described the alleged campaign as “State Capture 2.0”, saying it aimed to weaken the police and disrupt key law-enforcement operations. Mkhwanazi also alleged Adams accessed and distributed classified Crime Intelligence documents without the necessary security clearance and that leaked intelligence and Adams’ affidavit were used by IDAC to obtain subpoenas and accelerate investigations.

Institutional fallout and next steps

The dispute has affected senior SAPS figures, with actions involving Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola noted in evidence at the commission.

Adams is expected to continue his testimony on Thursday.