By Johnathan Paoli
National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams arrived in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday night after an almost 30-hour journey from Cape Town, where he was arrested at the parliamentary village this week.
Police have confirmed that he will be processed at an undisclosed station ahead of his appearance in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning.
Adams is facing charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice.
He was taken into custody on Tuesday in Cape Town and transported to KwaZulu-Natal by members of the South African Police Service’s Political Task Team.
Briefing the media on Wednesday night, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the decision to divert Adams to a different police station was prompted by the public disclosure of Westville police station as his intended destination.
“We have informed his lawyers of the latest development that we won’t be bringing him to the Westville police station for security reasons because everyone announced that he would be coming here,” Mathe said.
“So to protect him and to also protect the integrity of this entire process, we have taken a decision not to divulge his whereabouts, like I’ve indicated, for security reasons,” she added.
Mathe said the MP had been processed by the receiving officer, booked in at a local police station, and that “there are no complaints” from his side and no reported injuries.
She acknowledged concerns over the police’s secrecy regarding the details of Adams’ journey from the Western Cape but said the measures were operationally necessary to safeguard both the suspect and the investigation.
“We do not give out those details on any suspect that we are transporting, and that is a security measure that is put in place by the police to ensure the safety and security of firstly the suspect that is in transit, the team, as well as to protect the integrity of the whole process,” Mathe said.
Addressing speculation about the conditions of the trip, she confirmed that the convoy had stopped “in a nearby town” and that Adams had been given an eight-hour rest.
“He was fed. He received your breakfast, your lunch, your supper, and so on. So, he has been well taken care of,” Mathe said.
Earlier reports indicated that the convoy had made an overnight stop in Gqeberha before continuing its journey on Wednesday morning.
Mathe reiterated that the police respects constitutional protections, including the presumption of innocence.
“We know well the constitutional rights of every individual in South Africa, and the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law,” she said.
His legal team, family members and senior NCC officials gathered at Westville police station on Wednesday awaiting his arrival, amid uncertainty over his exact location during transit.
By Wednesday evening, police confirmed he had arrived in KwaZulu-Natal.
The charges relate to alleged interference “at a critical stage” of the investigation into the 2017 killing of former ANC Youth League Secretary General Sindiso Magaqa.
Adams is accused of visiting convicted killer Sibusiso Ncengwa in prison and obtaining statements on who allegedly orchestrated what he has described as an assassination.
Members of the National Coloured Congress, including Adams’ wife and party officials, expressed frustration over the lack of communication during his transfer.
National organiser Nasmi Jacobs said the party was concerned about his safety and the absence of official updates as supporters waited outside the police station for confirmation of his arrival.
The NCC has condemned the arrest as unlawful and politically motivated.
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