NCC Leader Fadiel Adams at Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on 7 May 2026. Adams faces charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice in relation to his alleged interference with the murder probe into former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. (Photo: Gallo Images / Darren Stewart) Fadiel Adams made his first appearance in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal on 7 May, where the State alleged that he created the impression he was carrying out official parliamentary duties when he visited a prison to meet two alleged criminals.
Adams, the leader of the National Coloured Congress and a Member of Parliament, was arrested by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on Tuesday at the Parliamentary Village and whisked away to a police station in connection with charges of fraud and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
/file/attachments/orphans/ED_607939_985239.jpg "The State claims Fadiel Adams misled authorities, prompting an official escort from an airport to the prison during his visit. (Photo: Gallo Images / Darren Stewart)")
The charges stem from his alleged interference in the investigation into the murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
In January 2025, Adams visited KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville Correctional Centre, where he met with a suspect who had been arrested for Magaqa’s murder, who was later sentenced to 25 years.
Because he misrepresented the nature of his visit, said the State, members of the South African Police Service, the Department of Correctional Services and the Ethekwini Metro Police allegedly arranged an official escort for him from King Shaka International Airport to the prison, and back to the airport thereafter.
On Thursday, during proceedings, advocate Bruce Hendricks, representing Adams, argued that it would be in the interests of justice for his client to be released on bail, setting out reasons why Adams should not remain in custody.
The State sought a postponement to allow them to gather additional information relevant to the bail application.
According to the charge sheet, Adams faces two counts of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice, and three counts of fraud.
‘Catch me if you can’
The State’s opposition to giving Adams bail centred heavily on what prosecutors described as a pattern of defiant behaviour towards law enforcement, the courts and the broader criminal justice system.
Prosecutor Z Mata argued that Adams’ public statements and media briefings raise concerns about whether he would comply with the legal process if released on bail. The State also cited remarks in which he allegedly challenged authorities to arrest him, saying the comments reflected a confrontational stance towards law enforcement.
“In fact, this goes further when, amongst these press briefings, he says: ‘If you want to find me, you can come and find me. If you want to arrest me, you will arrest me.’ This is indicative of someone effectively saying, ‘Catch me if you can.’ That is why he claims he is a fugitive.
“Fugitive, translated, would mean someone running from the law. That concerns us and is very crucial,” the prosecutor submitted.
“That behaviour is also demonstrated from the period when police went to arrest him,” the prosecutor argued.
/file/attachments/orphans/ED_607950_959091.jpg "Fadiel Adams at Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on 7 May 2026. (Photo: Gallo Images / Darren Stewart)")
The State is also expected to submit affidavits from investigating officers alleging that Adams displayed contemptuous and profane behaviour towards the courts, arguing that it reflects a disregard for the criminal justice system.
“There is information relating to his behaviour towards courts and the criminal justice system,” the prosecutor said.
“We will place before court his defiant behaviour of a court order, including instances where profanity was allegedly directed at the court. Those words will appear in the affidavit of the investigating officer.”
Alleged delay tactics
Hendricks criticised the State’s request for a postponement, arguing that prosecutors had enough time to prepare and failed to justify keeping Adams behind bars. He told the court the State relied heavily on Adams’ public conduct and media statements without presenting substantive legal grounds to delay the bail proceedings.
“With the greatest respect,” he said, “I have heard a great deal about the behaviour of my client, but I have not heard proper motivation as to why the State seeks a postponement.”
/file/attachments/orphans/ED_607947_353565.jpg "Fadiel Adams’ formal bail application will be heard on 13 May, amid disputes over the need for further information in the case. (Photo: Gallo Images / Darren Stewart)")
Referring to the arrest warrant, Hendricks pointed out that the document bore a Durban stamp dated 30 April 2026, despite relating to allegations dating back to January 2025.
“The warrant itself states that an application is hereby made for the arrest of Adams on reasonable suspicion that he committed offences on or about 24 January 2025 in the district of eThekwini,” Hendricks submitted.
“That was more than a year ago. It does not take a rocket scientist to realise the State has been dealing with this matter for a very long time,” he stated
He further argued that Adams had complied with Section 60 of the Criminal Procedure Act by disclosing all required information, including proof of his parliamentary residence. Hendricks added that Adams had no previous convictions, pending cases, outstanding warrants or protection orders against him.
Prison visits
As the legal pressure mounts on Adams, the State is increasingly framing his visits to Westville Correctional Centre as central to the fraud and obstruction case.
According to Natasha Ramkissoon-Kara, regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in KwaZulu-Natal, the prosecution alleges that Adams visited a prison facility on 2 November 2024 and again on 24 January 2025, where he allegedly interviewed two awaiting-trial inmates.
“These inmates were in custody for two separate matters – one being the Sindiso Magaqa murder matter, while the other inmate was in custody in connection with a partly-heard case. The State alleges that the accused recorded the interviews,” she said.
Ramkisson-Kara further alleged that Adams was neither authorised by investigators nor mandated by Parliament to conduct the prison visits, while inmates’ legal representatives were allegedly neither consulted nor present during the engagements.
“The backdrop to the allegations is politically explosive. One of the inmates interviewed by Adams was linked to the high-profile Sindiso Magaqa murder prosecution, a case that has remained under intense public scrutiny for years,” she said.
The matter against the three remaining accused in the Magaqa matter, Sbonelo Myeza, Mbulelo Mpofana and Zweliphansi Stanley Skhosana, is scheduled to resume in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 18 May 2026. Myeza and Mpofana remain out on bail, while Skhosana remains in custody after his bail application was unsuccessful.
A request by Adams, indicating to the court that he was prepared to pay R5,000 for his release on bail, was dismissed.
As a safety precaution, the magistrate ordered that the location where Adams will be detained should not be disclosed to anyone. Adams was also warned not to reveal the location himself.
He will remain in custody until Wednesday, 13 May, when his formal bail application is expected to be heard in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court. DM
This story was updated to include more comments from the court and the NPA’s statement. (Updated: 7 May 2026)