Fadiel Adams appeared in court last week, this time for charges related to a neglected pet that the SPCA had seized from his home two years ago.

The Westridge resident, leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and a member of Parliament in the National Assembly, currently faces multiple charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice. However, his recent appearance in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court was for charges of a different nature.

Animal cruelty

Belinda Abraham, spokesperson for the SPCA, said: “We can confirm Mr Fadiel Adams appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court last week on charges of animal cruelty. This follows the removal of his African grey parrot in 2024. The parrot was found in poor health and living in unhygienic conditions. Warnings were issued and due to non-compliance, a warrant was obtained and the bird was seized by the SPCA.”

A report on the incident on the SPCA’s website in 2024 said it had sought and got a court order to remove the neglected parrot.

Initial complaint about dogs

The incident began when the SPCA responded to a complaint regarding dogs being kept in poor living conditions at the Westridge home owned by Adams.

“During the initial inspection, the owner denied our inspector access and instructed him to return later that day. When the inspector returned the conditions appeared to be in order, suggesting the owner had hastily cleaned the animals’ living spaces. However, the inspector noticed an African grey parrot with severe feather loss, prompting a written warning for the owner to have the bird examined by an exotic bird veterinarian.”

Parrot rescue

According to the report, Adams, who is called the owner throughout, “complied” and the vet instructed Adams on how to better care for the exotic bird.

“Despite this, the SPCA faced resistance when attempting follow-up inspections. The owner accused the SPCA of harassment and refused to comply with the inspectors. After a lengthy discussion, the owner reluctantly agreed to a specific inspection time, warning our inspector to ‘tread very carefully,’” the report said.

Denied access

The report goes on to say that when the inspector arrived at the time agreed on, he was again denied access.

“With the owner’s non-compliance, the SPCA approached the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court on 2 July 2024 and obtained an order in terms of Section 8 of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, read together with Regulation 468. Section 8 of the Animals Protection Act allows inspectors to secure a court order if an owner or occupier refuses access.”

Met with threats

The inspectors returned to the house, accompanied by police, and told Adams of the court order granting them access.

According to the report, Adams threatened the inspectors, telling them that they “do not know who they are dealing with.”

“Despite this, our team proceeded with the inspection,” the report said.

Terrible condition

Inspectors found that the parrot’s condition had worsened since their previous inspection.

“The owner had not followed the veterinarian’s advice, and the bird was living in filthy conditions with an unsuitable cage,” the report said.

The bird was confiscated and taken to an avian and exotic veterinarian.

Findings

“The avian veterinarian’s findings were alarming,” the report said, explaining that tests showed that the bird had an infection and several diseases, including osteoarthritis.

The bird was also malnourished and in immense pain.

“The veterinarian concluded that it was inhumane to keep the bird in such conditions, as untreated, the bird would continue to suffer.”

Where is the bird now?

TygerBurger asked if the bird survived the ordeal and where she was now.

Abraham replied: “She is being kept at a place of safety, where her welfare needs are being catered for appropriately.”

No response from party

The TygerBurger contacted the NCC for comment but received no response at the time of publication.

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