National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader and Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams will remain behind bars after the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court postponed his bail application to 13 May 2026.

The postponement came after state prosecutors requested additional time to prepare their opposition to bail, arguing that the matter is serious and involves allegations of interference in the long-running investigation into the assassination of former ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader Sindiso Magaqa.

Adams made his first appearance in the KwaZulu-Natal court on Thursday following his dramatic arrest on Tuesday by the SAPS Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) at the Parliamentary Village in Cape Town.

The state confirmed that Adams faces two counts of defeating the ends of justice and three counts of fraud linked to the 2017 murder case of Magaqa. Prosecutors also revealed that Adams is currently being held at a secret location due to security concerns surrounding the matter.

Magaqa, a former mayoral candidate in the Harry Gwala District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, was shot in July 2017 in what investigators described as a politically motivated attack. He later died in the hospital from his injuries. The case has remained one of the country’s most high-profile political killings, with several accused already linked to the murder-for-hire plot.

During proceedings, prosecutors strongly opposed Adams’ release on bail, accusing him of conduct that allegedly undermined police investigations.

In heated arguments before the court, the state described Adams as “arrogant” and claimed he had publicly projected a “catch me if you can” attitude while authorities were searching for him.

The prosecution further alleged that Adams visited convicted hitman Sibusiso Ncengwa, widely known as an “Inkabi” or assassin, at Westville Prison and obtained statements linked to the Magaqa case.

According to the state, the allegations demonstrate a pattern of interference with witnesses and ongoing investigations.

The prosecutor argued that Adams’ behaviour before his arrest could not be ignored by the court.

“We are talking about the conduct by the applicant before court, running away. It is behaviour,” the prosecutor submitted.

The state also questioned why Adams allegedly failed to present himself at the police station, where officers expected to find him despite allegedly being aware of legal processes underway.

“A lawmaker who is aware that there is a J50 goes to a station in Michelsplein or wherever, but he knows where he is needed. Why couldn’t he go to the relevant place?” the prosecutor argued.

The issue of Adams’ listed residential addresses also became a point of contention in court. Prosecutors claimed police visited an address linked to Adams but failed to locate him there.

Advocate Bruce Hendricks, who is leading Adams’ legal team, challenged the state’s request for postponement and argued that keeping the NCC leader in custody was unjustified.

Hendricks told the court that Adams is not accused of murder or violent offences, but rather charges related to allegedly defeating the ends of justice.

“Keeping him in custody will not be in the interests of justice,” Hendricks argued.

“He has a wife, he has children — all minors. He has a bond to pay. Surely the postponement cannot be justified.”

The defence also criticised the manner in which Adams was transported from Cape Town to KwaZulu-Natal after his arrest.

“This is a man that was driven down 1,600 kilometres to be here in custody at the back of a police van. Surely the state had ample time,” Hendricks said as he opposed the postponement application.

Throughout the proceedings, Adams appeared visibly exhausted. At several moments, he stretched in the dock, shook his head and appeared lethargic while listening to arguments from both the state and his legal team.

Addressing concerns over Adams’ treatment during transport, the prosecutor insisted that the MP had been treated humanely during the journey to KwaZulu-Natal.

“He was afforded an opportunity to rest, sleep over, meals and was treated like a decent human being. Surely he will not complain about that,” the prosecutor told the court.

At one point, Adams rapidly raised his hand and shook his head while the state addressed the court, though proceedings continued uninterrupted.

The prosecutor maintained that the allegations against Adams are serious and involve possible interference with a state witness.

“There is a serious allegation of interference with a state witness. You cannot in our criminal justice system ignore that fact,” the prosecutor said.

“We intend to even lead some of the evidence from these footage to show you that this conduct falls squarely within the provisions of Section 60 subsection 4 paragraphs A to E.”

The courtroom was packed with NCC supporters, members of the media and officers attached to the Political Killings Task Team as tensions remained high throughout the proceedings.

Adams is expected to return to the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court next week when his formal bail application resumes.