Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and a Member of Parliament, is expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 7 May 2026, following his arrest on charges of fraud and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Adams was arrested in Cape Town on Tuesday 5 May 2026, by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team for allegedly interfering with the investigation into the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Adams arrived in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday evening and was formally charged. “The SAPS is in possession of a J50 warrant of arrest for Mr Adams. The warrant relates to serious allegations that he interfered with ongoing investigations into the murder of the late ANC Youth League leader, Mr Sindiso Magaqa,” Mathe said.
According to police, Adams allegedly interfered with convicted hitman Sibusiso Ncengwa during a visit to Westville Correctional Facility in Durban in 2024 while the investigation was at what authorities described as a “very sensitive and advanced stage”.
Magaqa was shot in July 2017 in Umzimkhulu after reportedly exposing corruption linked to a municipal tender. His death became one of the country’s most high-profile political killing cases.
For security reasons, SAPS declined to disclose where Adams is being detained. Mathe said the decision was made to protect both the suspect and the integrity of the investigation.
“We have taken a decision not to divulge his whereabouts. We do not give out those details to any suspect that we are transporting. That is a security measure put in place by the police to ensure safety and security of the suspect, the team, and to protect the integrity of the process,” she explained.
She added that Adams was transported by road from Cape Town and had been treated in accordance with legal procedures.
“He was given his eight-hour rest, booked into a local police station, and he was fed and received breakfast, lunch, and supper. He has been well taken care of,” Mathe said.
Adams’s attorney, Bruce Hendricks, confirmed that his client would appear in court and indicated that the defence intends challenging the validity of the arrest warrant.
According to Hendricks, SAPS allegedly only partially complied with a directive from the Western Cape High Court to provide supporting documents linked to the matter.
Prior to his arrest, Adams denied any wrongdoing and accused police of politically targeting him.
“They never approached me because they wanted to arrest me for drama, they wanted a dramatic effect,” Adams said, adding that he had already informed SAPS through his legal team that he was willing to cooperate with investigators.
