CAPE TOWN — National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams has launched a scathing attack on the South African Police Service (SAPS) leadership, alleging that “real cartels” are operating within Parliament while dismissing high-profile suspects as mere figureheads.
Testifying before an ad hoc committee on Wednesday night, Adams challenged the narrative surrounding Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman accused of murder and linked to the so-called “Big Five” drug-trafficking syndicate. Adams told the committee that while Matlala is a criminal, he is “too small” to be considered a cartel boss, suggesting instead that he served as a financial conduit for powerful insiders within the police service.
The committee was convened to probe explosive allegations of state capture within law enforcement. Adams used the platform to pivot the focus toward the SAPS top brass, specifically National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. He accused Masemola of failing to act on warnings regarding a R360-million police health services contract awarded to Matlala, a deal that reportedly gave a suspected criminal access to the private medical records of every police officer in the country.
Adams described the security breach as “treason,” noting that the sensitive data included information on officers’ HIV status and mental health records. He argued that the responsibility for the R50 million already paid out under the now-terminated contract rests with the accounting officer of the SAPS, asserting that the irregularities were only uncovered by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) rather than internal police oversight.
The testimony stands in stark contrast to evidence provided by SAPS crime intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo. Khumalo previously detailed the “Big Five” cartel as a sophisticated operation that has successfully infiltrated political spheres and the criminal justice system. According to Khumalo, this syndicate operates with the structure of a formal employer, funding its activities through drug trafficking, contract killings, and tender fraud.
The broader implications of these allegations suggest a systemic collapse of integrity within the Gauteng SAPS, where Khumalo previously claimed nearly all members were working for criminal interests. The ad hoc committee continues to investigate the depth of this infiltration and the alleged protection provided to syndicates by senior political figures.
Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane confirmed that a future date will be set for members to cross-examine Adams on his testimony. The proceedings remain a focal point for public concern regarding the intersection of organized crime and national security.
Anyone with additional information relating to this story can contact us through email press@townpress.co.za.
Facebook Comments