Fadiel Adams consulting with his legal team.
Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo
NCC leader, Fadiel Adams will remain behind bars until next week after he appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu- Natal on Thursday.
Adams, a member of Parliament and leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC), was officially charged with two counts of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice and three counts of fraud.
Adams was arrested on Tuesday in Cape Town and faces charges of defeating the ends of justice for allegedly interfering with Sindiso Magaqa’s murder case, who was killed in 2017.
The State is of the opinion that Adams acted unlawfully under the guise of his MP status, went to visit to the suspected hitman, Sibusiso Ncengwa, in the Magaqa murder.
In 2024, Adams flew to Durban and was allegedly whisked away with blue lights by police to the Westville Correctional Facility to meet the accused. Police said the visit took place while they were still investigating the matter, and the matter was partially being heard in court.
When entering the court, Adams kissed his mother’s forehead as he entered the dock.
The State opposed the release of Adams, stating that they needed to prepare for bail.
“We request a reasonable opportunity to obtain material information,” the State submitted.
Part of the information 'needed' is important for the bail application; they need to check the information that emanated from Adams’ press briefing, which was described as pertinent.
“He openly said that he is a fugitive. A fugitive, loose translation, is someone running from the law. It concerns us. He goes further to say, among his press briefings, ‘if you want to find me, you can come to find me. Or if you want to find me, arrest me,’ this is indicative of catch me if you can. Information the State seeks to procure is information relating to the applicant towards the courts and justice system,” the State submitted.
The State claimed Adams has used profanity towards the court and further interfered with state witnesses, to whom they would provide an affidavit to the court.
“There are also issues with the addresses. Some are not verified,” the State submitted. It requested that the court remand the matter until Wednesday, to which it would be ready to proceed.
Adams’ legal representative, Bruce Hendricks opposed a postponement, stating they were ready for a bail application.
Hendricks also supplied the magistrate with the warrant, which was not handed in by the State.
Hendricks highlighted that the warrant was stamped by the KZN DPP on April 30, for a matter dated on January 24, 2025, more than a year ago.
“Today, they are seeking a postponement. We have insight into the application of the warrant; this was an inquiry matter first and not a docket. The basis for postponement today is not qualified,” he said.
“This is a matter of national interest. Mr Adams was arrested on May 5, 2026. Among other things, the State is asking to verify his address. What the state is not telling this court is that they arrested Mr Adams with a contingency at his Parliamentary address. How are they trying to verify an address?” Hendricks questioned.
The matter has been postponed until Wednesday, May 13.