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IOL News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Fadiel Adams faces consequences for derogatory remarks in National Assembly
National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams Adams will be suspended from parliamentary debates and committees for 15 days and his salary will be docked for the same length of period for contravening the Ethics Code for MPs. Image: Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/African News Agency(ANA) National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams Adams issued an apology on Tuesday to the National Assembly for the derogatory, racist and vulgar language he used against a woman in a social media video rant. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza described Adams' rant was 'simply repugnant' to repeat when she reprimanded him. 'They are simply repugnant, wholly unbefitting of high office and this institution, and therefore it is inexcusable,' Didiza said. She also said there were avenues available to raise grievances to argue a case both in Parliament and elsewhere for recourse to vulgarity and sexism. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Adams' troubles date back to when he posted a nine-minute video on Facebook. In February, he accused a DA female member of endangering the lives of his children, falsely accused City of Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and called the DA names. DA chief whip George Michalakis lodged a complaint against Adams with the Office of the Registrar of Members' Interests the following month. In its report, the Ethics Committee found that he contravened the Ethics Code and that Adams had stated that he was wrong and undertook to apologise. 'The committee was alarmed at the extremely vulgar and derogatory language used by the member toward, particularly, a woman in the video footage,' reads the report. Didiza said the Code of Ethics outlined the behaviour as expected of MPs when they engage in communication, particularly in social media platforms, that they may not bring Parliament into disrepute. 'A member who is addressing another member or a member of the public on social media platforms must not use derogatory racist or sexist language or content,' she said. Didiza also said it was important for MPs when they communicate on social media platforms to guard the language they use. 'I just want all of us to be aware so that in future we do appreciate the responsibility that we hold. All of the members were elected to the Assembly by the people of South Africa to champion their interests. Our people expect us to do so with vigour, determination and dignity.' Adams was made to enter an apology in the National Assembly, to the public and to the woman that he referred to in the Facebook post for the derogatory, racist and vulgar language that he used. 'I will apologise, Speaker. I will withdraw. Thank you,' he said. Adams will be suspended from parliamentary debates and committees for 15 days and his salary will be docked for the same length of period. He will also attend a consultation with Didiza, the co-chairpersons of the Ethics Committee and the Acting Registrar for discussions on the ethical conduct required of an MP. Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa will have R10 000 docked from her salary for contravening the Ethics Code for MPs when she failed to declare her financial interests within the stipulated deadline in 2024.. Image: Picture: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency(ANA) Meanwhile, minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa was reprimanded for failing to failing to declare their financial interests within the stipulated deadline in 2024. Ramakgopa was not present when Didiza reprimanded other culprit ministers and MPs last month, but she tendered an apology because she was on an international trip. Didiza said the Ethics Code provides a set of values for members, who had pledged obedience to the Constitution, to obey, respect and uphold all the law and perform their functions to the best of their ability. She said the code obliged MPs annually to declare their financial interest in a public register to allow the public to confirm that no member may have been exposed to a conflict of interest. Didiza noted with concern that Ramakgopa was provided an opportunity to make written representations but did not do so. 'I, therefore, want to indicate that this is not acceptable,' she said. Ramokgopa was fined a penalty of R10 000 that will be docked from her salary.
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
NCC MP Fadiel Adams faces consequences for sexist and racist remarks
National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers National Coloured Congress (NCC) MP Fadiel Adams has been found guilty of breaching Parliament's Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests following a nine-minute Facebook video in which he used crude, sexist, and racially charged language. The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests tabled its report to Parliament, recommending Adams be reprimanded, suspended for 15 sitting days, and that his salary be docked for the same period. He is also ordered to issue a public apology and attend a consultation on ethical conduct. The complaint was lodged by Democratic Alliance Chief Whip George Michalakis and submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Members' Interests on March 5, 2025. The complaint relates to a nine-minute video Adams posted on February 18, 2025, where he made a series of offensive remarks directed at a female member of the Democratic Alliance, the mayor of Cape Town, and the DA as a party. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ According to the complaint, Adams used explicit and offensive terms referring to race, gender, sexual conduct, and political affiliation. In addition to personal attacks, he made inflammatory allegations and threats directed at a woman's employer, at the mayor's children, and the City of Cape Town leadership. In the report, the complainant stated that the content of the social media post is as follows: 'ek weet nie wat makeer sekere coloured mense nie (I don't know what is wrong with some coloured people)', and 'some of us are so desperate to fit white sexual reproduction organs into our mouths … the Mackenzie family has been practising it for years'. He then refers to an individual as a 'ding' (thing) and 'the Right-Wing love coloureds that are a fit to work in the kitchen but think they can make their way into the office by sucking white genitalia'. He then also calls her a 'coloured mother's p**s', 'naai', 'h***me!d', 'vuil ma se p**s (and if you do not excuse my language, f**k you sommer)', 'smetterige vark (pig)', 'coloured mother f**k', 'this mother n**i' and says that she is so desperate for a white man's recognition. He then continues: 'I don't care if you are a woman, because you're not a woman as far as I am concerned because a mother doesn't do this' and 'I don't give a p**s, I am not gender biased, jou vuil n**i (you dirty f**k)'. With regards to members of the DA as 'f**ng agents', he refers to the mayor of Cape Town as a 'piece of sh*t', 'wit god' and to 'his f**ng kids'. He then falsely accuses the mayor and the city of murder and fuelling violence. He furthermore threatens the female individual that he will approach her employer ('there will be consequences at your workplace') and tell them that 'you're employing a piece of sh*t' and then goes further to threaten the employer himself, stating that if she does not remove a Facebook post that 'your boss will not trade for a day or two', threatening to ignore a High Court order against him for closing business because 'some things are worth going to jail for'. The complainant also stated that Adams is in breach of items 5(1) and 9 of the Code. Also, if the complainant's conduct falls foul of the provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crime and Hate Speech Act, the member could be in breach of his oath of office. He also indicated that he was willing to ignore a High Court order in pursuit of what he termed justice. Adams did not dispute the content of the video or that he was the individual who made the remarks. The committee reviewed footage that was taken from his Facebook page before it was removed and confirmed that the statements were made as described. In his written response submitted on March 13, 2025, he offered an apology for the outburst and cited personal circumstances as a contributing factor. He said he had been under considerable stress linked to threats to his children's safety and family-related trauma. He argued that the post was a reaction to a Facebook post made by a DA member, which, in his view, had placed his children in danger by suggesting gang affiliations. The committee acknowledged Adams' account of personal stress, but maintained that it did not excuse the severity or public nature of the language used. It expressed concern about the particularly vulgar, sexist, and racist nature of the remarks, especially those directed at a woman, and stated that "the member brought Parliament into disrepute". The committee found that the Member had breached items 9(1) and 9(2) of the Code of Ethical Conduct, as outlined under item 16(1)(c). These provisions prohibit members from using racist, sexist, or derogatory language on social media and from bringing Parliament into disrepute through such conduct. It further noted that members are expected to uphold the integrity of Parliament and act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the institution. Although the member was informed of the breach and invited to submit written representations regarding a possible penalty, no such representation was received. The committee has recommended that Adams be formally reprimanded in the House. He should issue an apology in the National Assembly, to the public, and to the woman referred to in the Facebook video for the use of racist, sexist, and vulgar language. It further recommended that he be suspended from participating in debates and committees for 15 sitting days. His salary and allowances should be reduced by an amount equal to the same period. The member is also expected to attend a consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Co-Chairpersons of the Committee, and the Acting Registrar to discuss the ethical conduct required of MPs.
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
City's Sheriff responds to assassination claims by NCC leader Fadiel Adams
Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress, claims a conspiracy involving DA's JP Smith. Image: File Hours after National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams took to social media and hosted a press conference on claims that there was a plot allegedly conspired by mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith to assassinate him, the City's Sheriff said Smith has already approached his lawyer to open a civil and criminal case against Adams. 'He has approached his lawyer to initiate a civil and criminal case against Fadiel,' said the City on Monday via Smith. The Cape Argus approached the City for comment on the allegations made in the press conference. Adams went live on his Facebook page on Sunday where he claimed the DA ward councillor in Manenberg, Deidree de Vos, had allegedly warned him that there was a conspiracy to kill him. In a press statement released on Friday, Adams said the plot was reported to police weeks ago and he handed all evidence to them. Via his live post, he further claimed he had a recording of De Vos disclosing information to him and on Monday during the press conference held at Parliament, he played it for the media present. Adams also said he placed his family at a safehouse and that he was being targeted because he was rooting out corruption such as tender fraud and links to gangs. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'On May 30, 2025, I received a very disturbing phone call,' he said. 'The person on the other end of the line was a senior member of the Democratic Alliance and I am not happy about what I am about to do, but I do value my family more than my friends. 'The caller claimed that one JP Smith, mayco for Safety and Security, had deployed a new councillor in Manenberg, Deidree de Vos, she had been sent to approach a man named Faiek Moses. Faiek Moses was once upon a time a notorious member of the Hard Livings gang and as far as I know, he has turned his life around and he is a working man. 'He has small contracts and sub contracts in the Manenberg area and Deidree de Vos was told to tell him that JP Smith was about to terminate his membership as a DA member and his contract opportunities.' He said there was also a WhatsApp message from mayco member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim. 'They want Faiek to take Fadiel out,' the message said, as Adams read it out. 'They want Faiek to act like a gangster because I am threatening his income,' said Adams. Police have since said they are unable to comment on the matter. De Vos has also remained silent with a media response. Pophaim did not respond to Cape Argus as yet. Smith said it was a plot to slander him. 'It has come to my attention that more misinformation is once again being spread by the NCC and its relevance-starved leader, Fadiel Adams, in an utterly ridiculous attempt to tarnish my reputation, that of the Democratic Alliance, and the City of Cape Town. .'Their latest smear campaign is laughable at best. I strongly deny the allegations and condemn the dissemination of fake news. "I have engaged my lawyers and I will ensure appropriate legal action is taken against this continued slander. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA councillor defends himself against threats of misconduct
A Belhar ward councillor has kicked back at the National Coloured Congress's (NCC) call for him to be removed and investigated, alleging that he threatened a resident who was evicted from a premises at the Pentec Housing Project. Instead, councillor Willie Jaftha said the calls to have him removed and investigated was a political attack from politicians who did not do their homework. 'I need to speak with the DA and the City on the way forward and respond to them," Jaftha said. 'She needs to apologise, I never spoke with her. 'I did go to the workplace to find out who she is. "I went to her workplace because she was defaming me claiming I spoke with her. 'They were in that house illegally, there were no subsidies for them, it was not their homes. 'The City took them to court and there was a process.
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Godongwana urges MPs to ensure proper expenditure of R1 trillion infrastructure budget
The report on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals easily garnered the majority vote from the Government of National Unity partners and other smaller parties. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Tuesday challenged parliamentarians to ensure that the R1 trillion allocated for infrastructure in the 2025/26 budget was spent efficiently and effectively. Speaking moments before the vote on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals and report of the standing committee on finance, Godongwana said he has discharged his responsibility. 'MPs have to make sure that this R1 trillion on infrastructure is spent effectively and efficiently,' he said. His comment was a sequel to the remarks by National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams who sympathised with Godongwana after he was asked 'to pull off a miracle with nothing in revising the budget'. 'That should be the concern of these members … If not spent properly, that is your duty as MPs to do oversight,' he said. The report on the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals was tabled in Parliament for the third time. On Wednesday, the report garnered the majority vote from the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners and other smaller parties. The report was passed with 268 votes in favour, 68 MPs, from the MK Party, EFF and United African Transformation were in opposition and two abstained. Godongwana, who had to redraft the budget and scrap initially proposed VAT increases, said it was a painful journey to have the budget adopted. 'From the National Treasury's perspective, we drew a number of lessons, but I suspect also members of this House must draw a number of lessons as to how we in practice are to manage debate around the Fiscal Framework moving forward,' he said. The passage of the Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals was despite the adjustment in the fuel levy, which was criticised by many during the debate. Tabling the report, ANC MP and standing committee on finance chairperson Joe Maswanganyi said Godongwana's third budget presentation underscored a steadfast commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. Maswanganyi said the budget adoption process within a coalition government can be quite complex due to the multitude of interests involved as coalition partners often bring diverse priorities, ideologies, and agendas to the table, which can complicate consensus-building efforts. 'Anyone calling for the Minister's head for the budget delay, is out of tune with coalition government dynamics all over the world,' he said in veiled attack on the MK Party, whose motion to censure Godongwana failed on Tuesday. Maswanganyi said during the budget hearings, stakeholders had welcomed the withdrawal of the VAT increase and additional allocations to SARS. 'The stakeholders, however, raised concerns about the proposed adjustments to the fuel levy, the lack of adjustment to PIT (personal income tax) brackets, above-inflation increases in excise duties, the withdrawal of zero-rated food items and the National Treasury's failure to increase Social Relief of Distress grant allocations,' he said. DA spokesperson on finance Mark Burke said his party supported the Fiscal Framework because it reflected some critical breakthroughs for ordinary South Africans. 'This is not a moment for celebration, it is a moment to push even harder for real economic reform that streamlines government, creates jobs and delivers growth,' Burke said. He praised the DA's firm stance against the VAT hike, securing billions in infrastructure investment, a commitment to root out ghost workers and an urgent review of government spending. 'These represents real breakthroughs that protect both the poor and the economy, but they are not enough,' Burke said. MK Party's Des van Rooyen said the GNU has subjected the country to a high fuel levy increase. 'Fuel levy is the most regressive taxing system and far worse than VAT is,' he said. Van Rooyen also said the report refusing their proposal for the introduction of a wealth tax, confirmed that 'the so-called GNU was a platform to protect the wealthy few, using puppets'. The EFF'S Omphile Maotwe said her party rejected the Fiscal Framework that was supported by the GNU, which replaced VAT with 'the regressive fuel levy that will affect the poor and the working class and failed to adjust the personal income tax brackets in line with inflation'. 'The Minister of Finance has declared to increase fuel taxes without even bringing a bill to Parliament. This tax is already in effect. It is a violation of the basic constitutional principle that no tax be imposed without the authority of legislation,' she said. The ACDP's Steven Swart said they welcomed the removal of VAT but it was sadly replaced by the maligned fuel levy hike. 'We will support the report but will be closely monitoring it. We want to be builders, not breakers,' said Swart in backing the Fiscal Framework report. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane, whose party abstained in the vote, said the obsession should be about the rate of investment brought into the country, saying the projected economic growth was far too low. 'I suggest that we be aggressively declaring economic zones and giving infrastructure support, digital connectivity, efficient public transport and ethical government,' he added.
