NCC’s Fadiel Adams vs DA: Battle Over Credit for SAPS Corruption Probe

When Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC), stood before a packed parliamentary gallery in October 2025, he didn’t just defend his actions—he tore down the narrative that the Democratic Alliance (DA) had led the charge against corrupt police officials. "We didn’t wait for them to notice the rot," Adams said. "We dug it up. And now they want to pose as the heroes?" The moment captured a bitter, months-long power struggle over who deserves credit for exposing deep-seated corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), particularly its elite Crime Intelligence unit.

How It All Started: The Crime Intelligence Scandal

The firestorm began in early 2025 when the Inspector-General of Intelligence uncovered a web of illegal property acquisitions by senior officers in SAPS Crime Intelligence. Documents revealed luxury homes, high-end vehicles, and offshore accounts linked to Major-General Philani Lushaba and at least four other officials—all with salaries that couldn’t possibly cover such assets. The findings weren’t leaked; they were formally submitted to Parliament in May. But who pushed for action? That’s where the war began.

By June, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, a DA MP on the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, publicly demanded Lushaba be summoned to testify. Her statements made headlines: "This isn’t just corruption—it’s institutional betrayal." But Adams, who had been quietly gathering evidence since January, called it a political stunt. "They waited six months to speak up. We were already in courtrooms and backroom meetings with whistleblowers," he told local reporters.

The Accusations Mount: Credit, Control, and Confidentiality

The NCC had filed its own formal complaints with the Public Protector in February, long before the DA’s public statements. Adams claims his team secured sworn affidavits from three Crime Intelligence insiders, including a forensic accountant who traced payments to shell companies in Mauritius. The DA, he argues, only jumped on the story once it became politically convenient—after media pressure mounted and the public outcry grew.

Then came the counterattack. In September, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, accused Adams and Kohler-Barnard of "recklessly exposing classified operations" by discussing internal Crime Intelligence files in media interviews. Mkhwanazi claimed the NCC had accessed documents marked "Top Secret" through unauthorized channels—a claim Adams denies. "I don’t steal files," Adams shot back. "I receive them from people who’ve lost faith in the system."

By October 30, the conflict turned personal. Mkhwanazi filed a formal complaint with Parliament’s ethics committee, alleging Adams committed perjury after retracting testimony about a meeting with a key whistleblower. Adams had initially claimed the meeting occurred in Pretoria in March; later, he admitted it was in Cape Town in April. "It’s a detail," Adams said. "The facts haven’t changed. The truth is still the same."

Who’s Really in Charge? The Oversight Battle

At the heart of this feud isn’t just ego—it’s jurisdiction. The DA, as part of the official opposition, operates through parliamentary committees. The NCC, a smaller but vocal civil society group with deep roots in Cape Town’s Coloured communities, operates outside Parliament but wields influence through grassroots pressure and legal channels. The Ad Hoc Committee on Police Accountability, established in August 2025, became the battleground.

Delays plagued the committee. Key documents weren’t submitted until October 6, forcing a two-week postponement of hearings. Police Minister Mchunu acknowledged the backlog, saying, "We’re working with what we have, but the lack of cooperation from within SAPS is staggering." Meanwhile, Ian Cameron, chair of the Portfolio Committee on Police, publicly criticized the NCC for "undermining institutional integrity" by going public before formal processes concluded.

But here’s the twist: Cameron’s own committee had failed to summon Lushaba until September—three months after the Inspector-General’s report was tabled. The NCC had already forced a preliminary inquiry through the courts.

Why This Matters Beyond Politics

This isn’t just about who gets the press release. It’s about who gets to hold power accountable in South Africa. The SAPS Crime Intelligence unit was once seen as a shield against organized crime. Now, it’s suspected of being part of the problem. And if civil society groups like the NCC can’t act without being accused of overstepping, then who will?

For communities in Khayelitsha, Athlone, and Gugulethu—where police corruption has eroded trust for decades—the NCC’s role has been lifeline, not liability. When residents reported missing money from their pensions or illegal vehicle seizures, it was the NCC’s legal team that filed the first complaints. The DA didn’t respond until the story hit national TV.

"We’re tired of being treated like noise," Adams said. "When the system fails, people don’t wait for permission to speak up."

What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking

The Ad Hoc Committee is scheduled to resume hearings in mid-November 2025. Lushaba is expected to testify, along with two other Crime Intelligence officers under investigation. The Inspector-General’s full report is due by December 15. Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority has opened a preliminary investigation into the perjury allegations against Adams.

But the bigger question looms: Will Parliament finally act—or will this become another case of accountability delayed, then forgotten?