Parliament disputes Fadiel Adams’ claims that his laptop was faulty

Parliament has challenged allegations made by Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams that his issued laptop has been malfunctioning for the past 18 months. On Tuesday, Parliament released a statement following Adams' appearance before the Madlanga Commission. The parliamentary body stated that their ICT Service Desk records show no evidence of a persistent laptop issue or hardware failure during the relevant period.

Adams testified before the commission, claiming his laptop regularly freezes, making it difficult for him to access and respond to emails. He stated that he only learned of the commission's request for his input about three months prior to his appearance. Madlanga, the chair of the inquiry, expressed skepticism about Adams' claims, questioning how he could perform his role as a Member of Parliament with such a problematic device.

The commission's evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC, informed the panel that Adams was given a sworn statement deadline of October 25, 2025, but missed it. Subsequently, a subpoena forced Adams to attend the inquiry. Chaskalson noted that Adams submitted his statement only after 9pm the night before his scheduled testimony, leaving little time for the commission and legal representatives to review the evidence and prepare.

Madlanga pressed Adams on his tardiness, demanding an explanation. Adams acknowledged that Parliament confirmed his statement, but the response did little to alleviate the mounting tension. The inquiry subsequently postponed Adams' testimony to August 19, providing additional time for legal teams to review his late submission.