National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and MP Fadiel Adams is set to return to the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for his formal bail application.
Adams faces three counts of fraud and two counts of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.
The charges relate to allegations that he interfered in the investigation into the murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
The State alleges Adams visited Magaqa’s convicted killer, Sibusiso Ncengwa, at Westville Correctional Facility while the trial was ongoing.
It also alleged Adams recorded Ncengwa and another inmate, in custody for a partly heard matter, without their lawyers present and without authorisation from prison officials.
The MP was arrested on 5 May after a warrant was issued for failing to appear in court.
Adams made his first appearance at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court and was remanded in custody pending the bail application set for 13 May.
‘We will be in court’
His lawyer, Bruce Hendricks said the defence would be in court on Wednesday.
“We represent one of the men arrested by the PKTT SAPS unit. He is a whistleblower on police corruption. We will be in court, and after that we will either go and eat or head to the airport.”
The NCC leadership held a media briefing to respond to the allegations of Adams’ arrest in Cape Town on Sunday.
The party said the statement Adams took from Ncengwa was for a parliamentary presentation to the Police Portfolio Committee, which he delivered in February 2025.
The NCC also questioned the handling of their leader’s case. “The way he was arrested and treated makes it look personal. Why have eight senior prosecutors in court for a Schedule 1 matter? In most cases, people are released on a warning for Schedule 1 offences,” said NCC national organiser Nasmi Jacobs.
“The manner of the arrest makes it look like Fadiel Adams is facing Schedule 6 charges. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?”.
The case resumes on Wednesday.
- NCC leader and MP Fadiel Adams faces fraud and obstruction of justice charges related to interfering in the Sindiso Magaqa murder investigation.
- Allegations include visiting Magaqa’s convicted killer in prison during the trial and recording inmates without authorization or lawyers present.
- Adams was arrested on May 5 after failing to appear in court, appeared in Pinetown Magistrate’s Court, and was remanded pending a bail application scheduled for May 13.
- Adams’ lawyer claims he is a whistleblower on police corruption and will attend court as planned.
- NCC questions the handling of Adams' arrest, criticizing the heavy presence of prosecutors and suggesting the treatment appears overly harsh and personal.
National Coloured
Adams faces three counts of fraud and two counts of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.
It also alleged Adams recorded
Adams made his first appearance at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court and was remanded in custody pending the bail application set for 13 May.
His lawyer, Bruce
“We represent one of the men arrested by the PKTT SAPS unit. He is a whistleblower on police corruption. We will be in court, and after that we will either go and eat or head to the airport.”
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