Parliament, Thursday, 10 December 2025 – The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests considered the complaint against Mr Fadiel Adams of the National Coloured Congress (NCC), which was lodged by Mr George Michalakis, the Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance (DA), on 17 June 2025 for an alleged breach of the Code on Ethical Conduct and Members’ Interests.
On 10 June 2025, Mr Michalakis instructed a Democratic Alliance staff member to object to a motion without notice that was circulated by the National Coloured Congress in line with the National Assembly rules. Subsequently, Mr Adams made a post on Facebook, which contained a screenshot of the email drafted by the staff member, which disclosed the email, mobile and telephonic details of the staff member.
Mr Adams was afforded an opportunity to respond and, in his email dated 25 June 2025, he stated that “when he took that screenshot, he was unaware that he had captured sensitive information and he apologised profusely if anyone was offended”.
After thorough deliberation, the committee found that Mr Adams breached item 5(1)(e) and item 9(1) of the Code as contemplated in item 16(1)(c) of the Code.
The committee considered the fact that this was Mr Adams’ second offence of breach of the Code relating to the use of social media platforms. It considered the second breach an aggravating factor in the matter of the penalty.
The committee applied the penalty provided for in item 20(4) of the Code and recommended to the House to impose all the following penalties:
- Item 20(4)(a) – a reprimand in the House; and
- Item 20(4)(b) – that the Member enter an apology in the House for placing personal information about a staff member on his social media post; and
- Item 20(4)(f) – that the Member be suspended from his seat in parliamentary debates and committees for a period of 20 parliamentary days (item 20(40(f)); and,
- Item 20(4)(f) – that the Member’s salary and allowances be reduced by an amount equal to 20 days.
“The committee wishes to state unequivocally that the integrity of Parliament requires that Members should uphold the highest ethical standards, and persistent disregard for the Code, particularly in the misuse of social-media platforms, will attract progressively harsher penalties.
“To this end, the committee has resolved to initiate a comprehensive review of the Code of Ethical Conduct and Members’ Interests. This review will focus on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, updating provisions relating to digital conduct, and enhancing deterrence for repeated violations.
“As part of this process, the committee will invite broader public participation, recognising that ethical governance is strengthened when the public is empowered to contribute to the rules that bind their elected representatives. Details of the public-engagement process will be announced in early 2026.
“The committee reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the dignity of Parliament, protecting staff and Members from harm, and promoting a culture of accountability, transparency and responsible conduct befitting the national legislature.”
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND MEMBERS’ INTERESTS, MS LUSIZO MAKHUBELA AND MR JOSEPH BRITZ.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mava Lukani (Mr)
Cell: 081 503-1840
E-mail: mlukani@parliament.gov.za
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