NCC leader Adams apologises to Parly for vulgar rant in social media video
Speaker Thoko Didiza reprimanded Adams during a plenary session of the National Assembly after the ethics committee found he had breached the code of ethical conduct.
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza delivered Parliament’s budget vote address in the Good Hope Chamber on 15 July 2025. Picture: Parliament/Phando Jikelo
CAPE TOWN - National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams has apologised to Parliament for a vulgar rant in a social media video, which Speaker Thoko Didiza said on Tuesday was too repugnant to repeat.
Didiza reprimanded Adams during a plenary session of the National Assembly after the ethics committee found he had breached the code of ethical conduct.
His sanction includes his seat being suspended for 15 days and his salary being docked for the same length of time.
In a video posted to his Facebook in February, but which he has since deleted, the NCC’s lone member of Parliament (MP) let rip against a woman he claimed had endangered the lives of his children by making false allegations against him.
In the nine-minute-long video, Adams also took aim at Democratic Alliance (DA) members and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Following a complaint by DA chief whip George Michalakis, Parliament’s ethics committee said it was alarmed by the extremely vulgar and derogatory language used by Adams, particularly against a woman.
Adams explained his outburst to the committee as that of a protective father living in a gang-ridden community where children die daily.
Didiza said she believed the penalties recommended by the committee are justifiable.
“I hope you can understand why I cannot repeat the remarks this report refers to. They are simply repugnant, wholly unbefitting of high office and this institution and therefore, it’s inexcusable.”
Adams was ordered to make a public apology in the House.
“I apologise, speaker. I withdraw. Thank you.”
Adams is also expected to consult with the speaker, the members’ registrar, and the committee chairpersons on the ethical conduct required of a parliamentarian.