ActionSA MP Dereleen James denies Madlanga Commission allegations, requests CCTV footage
ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James has rejected allegations made against her during testimony before the #MadlangaCommission of Inquiry, describing them as a “blatant lie” and requesting that CCTV footage from Parliament be secured and reviewed to clear her name.
James issued a media statement today, Wednesday after her name was mentioned during the ongoing testimony of State Advocate Drushantha Ramsamy, who is giving evidence as part of the commission’s inquiry into the conduct of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
In her statement, James denied claims that classified documents had been slipped under the door of her parliamentary office. She said access to her office floor is strictly controlled and monitored by security cameras, adding that she has formally requested the South African Police Service (SAPS) to preserve and review the CCTV footage. According to James, the footage will show that no such delivery took place and that only her staff had access to the area.
She also denied ever meeting with IDAC officials or agreeing to act as a witness in any related investigation.
James said the matter dates back to 13 January 2025, when her staff alerted her to a News24 report alleging that Crime Intelligence had purchased a hotel using covert funds. She said she subsequently called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to investigate the allegations.
According to James, she was later contacted by a man who identified himself as an investigator from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), who requested a meeting and suggested that IDAC, rather than IPID, should handle the matter. She said the approach immediately raised concerns, and she instructed her staff that she wanted no further engagement because she believed “something was dodgy.”
“I am grateful that I trusted my instincts to stay clear of a clearly dodgy situation,” James said, adding that, in hindsight, it explained why some people became angry with her for refusing to cooperate.
James said the allegations should be viewed in the broader context of the Ma
