South Africa: Police order Fadiel Adams to surrender over fraud, obstruction charges

The South African Police Service says its Political Killings Task Team is calling on National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams to present himself at his nearest police station in connection with charges of fraud and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said officers are in possession of a J50 warrant for Adams’ arrest.

“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.

She said investigators had found that Adams allegedly interfered with a convicted hitman at a sensitive and advanced stage of the probe.

Mathe said police had made extensive efforts to locate Adams, including visiting multiple addresses linked to him. 

She said arrangements were made with his attorney for him to hand himself over on Monday at Cape Town Central Police Station, but he did not do so.

Adams was also scheduled to appear in a KwaZulu-Natal court on Monday but failed to appear, Mathe said.

“Despite numerous attempts by SAPS to make contact with his legal representative, Mr Adams has not made himself available to police,” she said.

Mathe urged him to cooperate and hand himself over without delay.

On Sunday, IOL News reported that Adams had made a series of allegations against SAPS and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, claiming members of the Political Killings Task Team had raided a house he previously owned in Mitchell’s Plain.

When asked why there was no photographic evidence of the alleged raid, Adams said residents were too afraid to take pictures.

He also addressed claims that he used a blue-light escort to Westville Prison, saying he had been escorted by metro police while carrying out official duties to interview Magaqa’s convicted killer.

According to Adams, the hitman had provided a written statement alleging police involvement in the crime and was willing to testify without seeking any benefit.

Adams criticised Mkhwanazi, saying he had not sent officers to obtain the statement and had instead implied to Parliament that Adams had committed a crime.

He said he had contacted acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and acting national police commissioner Major General Puleng Dimpane but had received no response.

Adams also shared emails he claimed were from Mkhwanazi regarding the warrant and communication with investigators, as well as a letter from the NCC outlining contact details for his legal representative.

Police have not publicly responded to Adams’ allegations.