The state argued that if Adams were released on bail, he could influence or intimidate witnesses or destroy evidence.
The state has presented several reasons for opposing the bail plea of National Colored Congress (NCC) leader and MP Fadil Adams.
On Wednesday, Adams appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate's Court to apply for bail, where an affidavit from the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT) investigator in charge of the case was read out.
Adams was arrested in Cape Town on Tuesday, 5 May.
his arrest Following a statement from the South African Police Service (SAPs), who asked the MP to present himself at the nearest police station.
according to Police spokesperson Athlenda MatheAdams was arrested and charged with one count of fraud and one count of defeating and/or obstructing the course of justice.
Mathe said Adams was arrested on charges that he interfered in the ongoing investigation into the murder of late ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaka.
State opposes Adams' bail
During his court appearance, the state presented several reasons for opposing Adams' bail application, all of which related to his recent conduct.
The state argued that, upon learning that there was a warrant for his arrest, Adams did not turn himself in to police. Instead, he posted a video on social media, admitting to knowing about the warrant and insulting PKTT leaders and calling them criminals. The footage was played in the court.
“The applicant's words and conduct indicate his resentment against the PKTT team. He has been accused of interfering in the matters currently under investigation by the PKTT team. He has on several occasions made public comments which could be construed as character assassination against the PKTT team and those whom he considers to be associated with the PKTT team,” the state argued.
“The same can be seen in the video footage played in court.”
defamation
The state cited a 2023 case brought by a Cape Town municipal manager and presented evidence that it was not the first time he had made defamatory comments against people with whom he disagreed.
“Among others, he was ordered to delete social media posts containing the said statements. Instead of complying with the court order by the Equality Court, he posted again in defiance of the said court order.
“His disregard of the order of the said court has caused the complainant City Manager of the City of Cape Town to file a complaint for the opening of criminal charges against him under number 311 of the docket Cape Town Central Case 311 of 2024. For this he was brought to court.
“The National Prosecuting Authority intervened and mediated between the parties, which led to the charges being withdrawn. This has not stopped the applicant from making reckless statements without facts despite his past conduct. He continued to call people names and use language which could be interpreted as derogatory and defaming people's characters. It all depends on him labeling names and defaming their characters in order to open cases against him.
“That's clear from the video clips we played in this court. There is every possibility that he will continue to do so and he has continued to do so while in this position.”
avoid lawsuit
The state further argued that, if Adams were released on bail, he would attempt to avoid trial.
“The conduct of the applicant after being informed about the warrant for his arrest is indicative of someone who is willing to avoid trial. It took a lot of effort to trace him. He deliberately switched off his phone outside the parliamentary complex.”
“His own lawyer had to struggle to get hold of him. He himself mentioned in a video clip that he was a fugitive and even linked himself to the famous actor Harrison Ford in the film The Fugitive. He Mocked the South African Police Service and the criminal justice system. The allegations against him are an indication of this.”
The state said the difficulty police had in locating him at multiple home addresses was indicative of someone who could not be located.
The state argued, “My team and I were provided with a deed of transfer of a property located in Cape Town, which was transferred on 21 January 2026, as proof of the residence of the applicant. His name is not mentioned in the deed of transfer. Therefore, there is no documentary evidence that it is his property.”
The second address given is the parliamentary complex.
“Should that status (of being an MP) change, he will cease to occupy that place. To all intents and purposes, the property belongs to the Public Works Department, and not him. The applicant faces very serious charges, which he partially admits in his video clip, and faces a jail sentence which could lead to him losing his position as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. This, in itself, is an incentive to avoid trial.”
Adams 'will influence witnesses'
The state argued that if Adams were released on bail, he would influence or intimidate witnesses or destroy evidence.
“The applicant, upon learning of his impending arrest, contacted several times a government witness whom he knew was involved in this case. He wanted the witness to send him a statement he had given to the police in this investigation.
“Even before his arrest, the applicant had already interfered with the state's witnesses and sought sworn statements given by the witness to the police.
“It is well established information that the applicant possessed classified crime intelligence. He alleges that it was placed under his door and he found it there. Whether this is true or not is still to be proven. The fact of the matter is that he possessed classified information.”
The state argued against Adams' release on bail, saying that by evading arrest and insulting police officers in a video shared on social media, “a Member of Parliament and MLA gave the middle finger to the court.”