National Coloured Congress (NCC) president and Member of Parliament (MP) Fadiel Adams has been suspended from Parliament in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act over allegations that he tarnished the institution’s reputation.
The suspension was disclosed on Wednesday during a sitting of Parliament’s Impeachment Committee.
During the meeting, committee members voted in favour of appointing Advocate Thandazani Madonsela SC as the body’s evidence leader.
Committee chairperson Magashule Gana confirmed Madonsela’s appointment after it secured majority support.
Adams was not present at the meeting after members were informed that he had already been suspended.
The suspension is expected to remain in place until the end of the month.
Adams is currently facing three fraud charges as well as two counts of defeating the administration of justice.
The case against him centres on allegations that he falsely represented his status and conducted unauthorised interviews with awaiting-trial prisoners at Westville Prison while investigating matters linked to the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
In a separate matter, Adams is expected to testify before the Madlanga Commission on August 11.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed the scheduled appearance last week.
The commission intends questioning Adams about how he obtained and distributed confidential Crime Intelligence documents, which he claims were anonymously delivered to his parliamentary office.
It will also probe the circumstances surrounding the Section 27 affidavit that featured in investigations involving senior Crime Intelligence officials.