MEMBER of Parliament (MP) and the president of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) Fadiel Adams was on Friday (May 15) granted R10 000 bail by the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.

Adams is due back in court on August 14.

His bail conditions include that he should not communicate with witnesses or obstruct the administration of justice in his fraud matter. These witnesses include members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), and members of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), members of the Durban Metro Police Service (DMPS), and members of the Department of Correctional Services.

During bail proceedings, the court heard that Adams, prior to his arrest, had contacted one of the witnesses in the matter, a SAPS member.

Adams is expected to report to a police station in Mitchells Plain on a daily basis.

Another bail condition set for Adams is that should he be required to travel out of the City of Cape Town, or the Western Cape province, he should advise the investigating officer (IO) in the matter prior to making such travels.

Additionally, if the travel relates to his parliamentary duties, Adams is required to furnish the IO with the necessary authority from the parliamentary committee he serves on and obtain consent from the investigator.

“Lastly, I implore you to please respect the criminal justice system as the criminal justice system has respected you,” said the presiding officer.

Handing the ruling for Adams’ bail application, the presiding officer said they were satisfied that based on the evidence presented during the proceedings, the MP was suitable for bail.

Also read: Fadiel Adams’ bail application to continue on Friday

The State had been vehemently opposed to Adams being released on bail and had argued that leading to his arrest in May, he had engaged in a “cat and mouse”, “catch me if you can” type of pursuit.

The defence for Adams had argued that the MP had shown a willingness to comply with law enforcement.

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.

“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.

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