ActionSA Member of Parliament Darlene James has responded on social media after being implicated during testimony at the Madlanga Commission in connection with allegations of an alleged plot to remove National Police Commissioner Major-General Fannie Masemola.
According to testimony by IDAC prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy, the alleged plan was discussed within the anti-corruption unit and involved James, National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams, and DA policing spokesperson Ian Cameron as alleged role players.
Ramsamy continued her testimony on Wednesday, telling the commission that there was an alleged plan to create a situation in which Masemola could be accused of misleading Parliament regarding whether he was under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
The testimony referred to allegations involving former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and other officials, including investigators Dylan Perumal and Brian Padayachee. According to Ramsamy, the alleged strategy involved MPs questioning Masemola in Parliament in the hope that his response could later be used against him.
James, however, has denied any involvement and issued a statement on social media rejecting the allegations.
“For the record: I have never received classified documents under my office door. I have asked SAPS to get the CCTV footage outside my office door to prove it,” James said.
She added that she had never met with IDAC and had no intention of becoming a witness in any matter because she believed “something was dodgy”.
James also shared images of cameras outside her parliamentary office, saying she wanted footage reviewed to prove that no documents had been placed under her door.
The claims about documents being slipped under her office door have not been made by Ramsamy or any other witness during the commission proceedings.
Meanwhile, Cameron previously submitted an affidavit to IDAC accusing Masemola of misleading Parliament after meeting with the organisation. Ramsamy’s testimony indicated that Cameron was aware of an IDAC investigation involving Masemola before that meeting.
The latest developments have intensified debate around allegations concerning IDAC, the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), Crime Intelligence, and SAPS.
Questions have also been raised about similarities between allegations made by several MPs, including DA representatives Diane Kohler-Barnard, Ian Cameron, and Glynnis Breytenbach, as well as Adams and James, and claims previously made by controversial operative Paul O’Sullivan.
Those allegations relate to unsubstantiated claims involving the PKTT, Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, and other officials.
While James has denied being part of any effort against Masemola, Khumalo or the PKTT, further scrutiny is expected as the commission continues.
The three DA MPs have previously called for Masemola’s removal, citing allegations that were also reportedly being investigated by IDAC. Adams has already been suspended ahead of his expected appearance before the relevant parliamentary committee.
Ramsamy is expected to return to the commission on a date still to be announced, while Adams is scheduled to appear next Tuesday.