MEMBER of Parliament (MP) and leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) Fadiel Adams is due back in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court today (May 13) for his bail application.

The gallery at the court was packed on Thursday (May 7) when Adams made his first appearance following his highly publicised arrest last week.

Adams’ family, friends and supporters crammed the courtroom alongside SAPS officials and members of the media as the MP, accused of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice and fraud, entered the dock, where he handed a gentle peck on the forehead of one of the observers before proceedings got underway.

Adams serves on the parliamentary committees on International Relations and Co-operation, and on Police.

The State is alleging that on November 2, 2024 and January 24, 2025, Adams visited the Westville Prison (Correctional Centre) and conducted two separate interviews with two awaiting trial inmates.

These inmates were in custody for two separate matters, one being the ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa’s murder, and the other inmate was in custody for a partly heard matter. The State is alleging that Adams recorded the interviews.

“In doing so, the accused allegedly misrepresented to the various authorities, including the SAPS, eThekwini Metro Police and officials at the Westville Prison Correctional Centre that he was on official duty.

“Given this impression, authorities then arranged an official escort for him from King Shaka International Airport to the Westville Correctional Centre and back.

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“Adams also allegedly engaged with the inmates without authorisation from the investigating team, nor the legal representatives of the inmates.

“Further, the State alleges that he was not officially mandated by parliament to conduct these visits,” said NPA KZN regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

In the charge sheet, read to Adams by the presiding officer during his first appearance, it is alleged that the MP “video recorded” an interview with inmate Bonginkosi Dlamini with his cellphone, and also used his device to “audio” record another with Sibusiso Ncengwa, who was at the time an accused in the murder trial of Magaqa. It is further alleged that Adams also obtained a sworn statement from Ncengwa.

It is also alleged that Adams “arranged for the publication and circulation of” Dlamini’s recorded video on social media platforms, and the State charges that the accused knew that the consequences of this would “weaken the State’s case against” Dlamini, and influence the presiding officer in that inmate’s matter, to rule in their favour “and have him acquitted on the charges”.

According to the State, Adams’ actions would have influenced “the course or outcome of the trial; discredit the work of the investigation team in the said matter, [and] undermine or jeopardise the proper functioning of the criminal justice system”.

The charge against Adams for defeating or obstructing the administration of justice results from the actions of the video in question allegedly being circulated on social media platforms, with public comments on it.

The other count of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice faced by Adams emanates from his actions, which resulted in the sworn statement obtained from Ncengwa being circulated on social media platforms.

Adams’ defence told the court that he would abide by any bail conditions set should his application be granted and that he is willing to hand over his passport.

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