MADLANGA COMMISSION: Fadiel Adams’ explosive admission on the mystery Idac affidavit, implicating Andrea Johnson

National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams' appearance before the Madlanga Commission concluded dramatically when he revealed that he had provided Investigating Directorate of Corruption (Idac) investigators with four affidavits on 6 January 2025. However, shortly thereafter, chief investigator Dylan Perumal visited Adams' home alone and secured a fifth affidavit. This revelation sparked intense debate during the Commission's hearing on 21 August. Drushantha Ramsamy, an Idac state prosecutor, and Robert Raphesu, a senior Idac inspector, both testified that this fifth affidavit was not part of the four they had collected from Adams on that date. The implications of Adams' statement extend beyond the mere existence of an additional document. It raises questions about who orchestrated its creation, the reasons behind obtaining it so soon after the others, and whether this new version influenced the course of the Idac investigation. Former Idac head Andrea Johnson acknowledged that the accounts given by Ramsamy and Raphesu, confirming that only four supplementary statements were taken in their presence and that the additional A1 affidavit was not among them, created a serious procedural inconsistency that Perumal would need to address. Johnson stated she was unaware of the origin of the extra affidavit. However, Adams accused her of being responsible for its procurement, contradicting her earlier denial of such involvement. Adams initially lodged complaints with the police and Idac, targeting three individuals. However, the investigation broadened significantly, leading to charges against seven members of Crime Intelligence, including top official Dumisani Khumalo, who leads the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). These charges were related to the alleged improper appointment of Brigadier Dineo Mokwele. On Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority officially dropped these charges against Khumalo and his co-defendants. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his agreement with Johnson stepping down immediately from her position, requesting that her three-month notice period be waived. Following the testimonies from Idac members, Perumal was suspended from Idac due to the disclosures made during the Commission. Adams recounted Perumal's late-night visit to his home, stating that Perumal mentioned being directed by "the madam" to secure another affidavit and divide the case into three sections. Adams added that Perumal was on a phone call with someone whose voice he recognized as Johnson's. Adams testified that Perumal informed him that the "madam" desired another affidavit and wished to split the case into three parts. During the hearing, Perumal was on the phone with a person whose voice Adams identified as Johnson's, issuing directives regarding her demands. Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga noted that the late-night visit to Adams' residence on 6 January 2025 seemed to highlight the type of impropriety the inquiry aimed to investigate. Adams explained that after meeting with the Idac team, he received a call from Perumal, who stated: "I've submitted your affidavits to the aunty." When Adams inquired about who "aunty" referred to, Perumal indicated it was Johnson. According to Adams, Perumal conveyed that Johnson was dissatisfied with how his case had been structured.