National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams says his controversial visits to Westville Prison were linked to allegations of wrongdoing involving the South African Police Service’s Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), as his criminal case moves closer to trial.
Adams made a brief appearance at the Pinetown Magistrates Court in Durban on Friday, where his matter was postponed to 16 October for a pre-trial conference.
The MP faces three counts of fraud and two counts of defeating the ends of justice. The charges stem from allegations that he visited two awaiting-trial inmates at Westville Prison in November 2024 and January 2025 and conducted audio-recorded interviews with them without authorisation from prison officials.
But Adams maintains that his actions were not unlawful.
Speaking outside court, he said he had been responding to information supplied by a whistleblower who had raised allegations concerning the SAPS Political Killings Task Team.
Adams also suggested that his arrest and prosecution were linked to his decision to speak out against those he believes are responsible for wrongdoing.
“The plan was to get me to prison, keep me in prison. That’s what they do to everyone who speaks out against them; unfortunately, they didn’t succeed this time and now consequences, I suppose.”
The two inmates Adams visited and interviewed have since been convicted of murdering African National Congress (ANC) politicians.
The State has confirmed that its investigation into the matter has been completed and that the relevant documents have been provided to Adams’ legal representatives.
The case therefore now enters a critical pre-trial phase, with both sides expected to address outstanding issues before proceedings move towards trial.
At the heart of the case is the question of whether Adams’ conduct during his interactions with the inmates amounted to criminal wrongdoing, as alleged by the State, or whether his actions were part of his claimed efforts to investigate information brought to him by a whistleblower.
Adams has not pleaded guilty to the charges and remains entitled to challenge the allegations against him in court.
His next appearance at the Pinetown Magistrates Court is scheduled for 16 October, when the parties are expected to attend the pre-trial conference.