Fadiel Adams consults with his lawyer at his court appearance on Thursday.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and Member of Parliament, Fadiel Adams, who faces three charges of fraud and two charges of defeating the administration of justice, has been remanded in custody to a location known only to his lawyer and his family.
Adams appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Adams, who is also on the Portfolio Committee on Police, was arrested on Tuesday in Cape Town by members of the Political Killings Task Team. He was then driven to Durban where he was kept at an undisclosed location ahead of his court appearance.
NCC leader and MP Fadiel Adams appears in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
According to police, Adams allegedly conducted two interviews in November 2024 and January 2025 with awaiting trial inmates at Westville prison. One of the inmates was implicated in the murder of ANC Youth League Secretary-General, Sindiso Magaqa, who was assassinated in 2017 after he reported corruption with KwaZulu-Natal's Umzimkhulu Municipality.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the second inmate was in custody for a partly heard matter. During both interviews, Adams allegedly recorded the men without the presence of their lawyers, and without authority from prison officials.
The NPA said Adams allegedly misrepresented himself to members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), the eThekwini Metro Police and prison officials, claiming he was mandated by Parliament.
"Given this impression, authorities then arranged an official escort for him from King Shaka International Airport to the Westville Correctional Centre and back," NPA spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said.
The State said it would oppose Adams' bail application and asked for a postponement to prepare its argument and evidence for its opposition to the bail.
Adams’ attorney Bruce Hendricks tried to push for the continuation of the bail application, arguing that the State had enough time from the day of arrest of his client and challenged it to present the evidence of his client’s interference with the witnesses.
However, Magistrate Wendalyn Robison said she was bound to listen to and grant the State’s request in the interest of justice in light of the allegations the State has presented.
He was remanded in custody to a location known only to his lawyer and his family. Hendricks also requested that Adams be assisted with medication, as he was due to undergo surgery on his shoulder and did not carry his medication or his medical aid card.
Adams is expected back in court on May 13.
Cape Times