Fadiel Adams' legal troubles highlight a pattern of disregard for the law
Fadiel Adams appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court.
Image: Leon Lestrade/Independent Newspapers
The Pinetown Magistrate’s Court heard that Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and Member of Parliament, has repeatedly disregarded the rule of law. The court was informed of his previous run-ins with the South African Police Service and the criminal justice system.
This was contained in the affidavit by investigating officer and Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) member Sergeant Sandile Mavuka.
Adams is facing three counts of fraud and two counts of defeating the ends of justice. He is in court for his bail application.
The affidavit, read by Senior State Advocate Nokulunga Ngcobo, said there is a likelihood that Adams being released on bail will endanger the safety of the public or any public person.
“The applicant’s utterances and conduct indicate his resentment against PKTT. He is presently charged with interfering with matters investigated by the PKTT. He has, on numerous occasions, made public comments that may be viewed as defamation of character against the PKTT and people he perceives are linked to the PKTT. Same can be seen on the video footage played in court,” Mavuka said.
Highlighting one of Adams’ run-ins with the law, Mavuka said that in 2023, an order was issued against Adams by an Equality Court after it was found that he made utterances against the City of Cape Town municipal manager. He was, among others, ordered to remove the social media posts containing the utterances and prohibited speech.
In the social media posts, Adams said: “Lock me up. I won’t apologise to that p**s”.
Adams also said: “The equality court finds that I’ve discriminated against the city manager who’s discriminated against us. F**k the court”.
Mavuka said Adams' disregard for the said court order led the complainant to open a criminal charge against him.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) intervened, and there was mediation between the parties, which led to the case being withdrawn.
He said previous cases against Adams include him being arrested and charged with two cases of crimen injuria. In one case, he was ordered by the court to unconditionally issue a public apology to the complainant and he was ordered to undertake a programme on racial sensitivity training at his own expense.
The other case was declined for prosecution and referred to a civil court.