Fadiel Adams back in court over alleged interference in Sindiso Magaqa murder case

National Coloured Congress leader and MP Fadiel Adams is expected to appear at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, facing charges arising from his alleged interference in the murder case of ANC councillor Sindiso Magaqa.

Charges and bail conditions

Adams faces charges of fraud and defeating the administration of justice. He was released on R10,000 bail in May, with the magistrate imposing strict conditions.

The court ordered that Adams report to the Mitchells Plain police station twice weekly. He is also prohibited from communicating with any witnesses, SAPS officers, Durban Metro police officers, and members of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). The court further directed that he reside between a Mitchells Plain address and his residence in the Parliamentary Village.

Alleged conduct at Westville Correctional Centre

The State alleges Adams visited Westville Prison and conducted two separate interviews with trial-awaiting inmates on 2 November 2024 and 24 January 2025 without authorisation from the investigating team or the inmates’ legal representatives.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the inmates were in custody for different matters one for the Sindiso Magaqa murder and the other for a partly heard matter and the State alleges 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. Further, the State alleges that he was not officially mandated by Parliament to conduct these visits,”

Madlanga Commission appearance and documents

Adams is also due to appear before the Madlanga Commission on 19 August. This follows the commission’s evidence leaders receiving his sworn affidavit and supporting documents only hours before his scheduled appearance on 11 August.

The commission is expected to question Adams about his possession and circulation of sensitive Crime Intelligence documents. Adams maintains those documents were anonymously delivered to his parliamentary office. The inquiry will also examine issues around the Section 27 affidavit used in investigations involving senior Crime Intelligence officials.

What happens next

The Pinetown Magistrate’s Court appearance and the upcoming commission session will address the State’s allegations and Adams’s explanations regarding the interviews and the handling of Crime Intelligence material.