National Coloured Congress leader and MP Fadiel Adams says one of the hotels bought by the Crime Intelligence was used to house Political Killings Task Team members as a “washing machine” for money laundering.
Image: Phando Jikelo / RSA Parliament
National Coloured Congress leader and MP Fadiel Adams doubled up on the properties purchased by the Crime Intelligence, saying the unit does not have business with the properties.
Adams claimed that one of the hotels bought by the Crime Intelligence was used to house Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) members as a “washing machine” for money laundering.
Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday night, he said he knew of two properties bought by Crime Intelligence.
Adams said apart from the property in Musgrave in Durban, there was a hotel in place that he did not mention.
“They will probably shoot me now because I don’t know whether it is classified, but it was unlawfully purchased.
“Crime Intelligence has no mandate for property purchasing unless Parliament approves when a property is purchased. As a Member (of Parliament), I don’t remember ever receiving a memo.”
He insisted the Department of Public Works has the responsibility to buy properties for the government.
“That property was purchased using our taxpayers’ money,” he said.
“I am willing to bet with my seat at this table in this House that the property right now as I sit here is housing the PKTT.”
Evidence leader Advocate Maria Mokhoaetsi said they have heard from North West businessman Brown Mogotsi speaking about Crime Intelligence properties.
“He was aware he is not allowed to make classified information available,” she said.
In response, Adams said the PKTT was not a branch of the Crime Intelligence.
“If they have been housed at the hotel, I am willing to bet that we, as taxpayers, are invoiced to house PKTT. They needed a washing machine. This is their washing machine,” he said.
ANC MP Xola Nqola said he did not understand what Adams was saying about washing machines.
“Are people washing clothes? Are there machines to do laundry? How does a house become a washing machine?” asked Nqola.
Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, said the statement should be withdrawn.
“It does not belong here,” he said.
Adams was unrelenting, saying people had been coming to the Ad Hoc Committee to throw mud left, right, and centre.
“I am saying this Ad Hoc Committee must investigate what I am saying. If you are asking for evidence, I am telling you subpoena the records of that hotel. It was bought with your tax money. You are parliamentarians and have a right… I am telling you this is money laundering.”
This prompted MK Party MP David Skosana to ask about the connection between the PKTT and washing machines.
Adams said he could confirm that the PKTT was housed at that hotel.
“They are running a laundry bill of R500,000 a month while they live in that hotel. You figure it out because I can’t.”
He insisted that the PKTT was not the arm of Crime Intelligence.
“They should not be there,” said Adams.
Adams is one of the MPs who was fingered by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for having access to classified information and handling it recklessly.