National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams has been taken into custody after the South African Police Service issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with allegations that he interfered with the investigation into the 2017 murder of ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa.
According to information, Adams was arrested at the Parliamentary Village of Pelican Park in Cape Town.
The Political Killings Task Team had issued a J50 warrant for Adams, who faces charges of fraud and defeating and or obstructing the course of justice. SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the warrant relates to serious allegations that Adams interfered with investigations at a sensitive and advanced stage.
Through investigations, the task team discovered that Adams allegedly interfered with the now convicted and sentenced hitman in the case.
Sibusiso Ncengwa, the hitman who carried out the murder of Magaqa, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in July 2025 after pleading guilty to 11 counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, three counts of attempted murder, and firearms offences. He testified for the state and implicated former Umzimkhulu municipal officials in the murder.
Magaqa, who served as ANC Youth League secretary-general and as a councillor for Umzimkhulu Local Municipality, was shot alongside councillors Jabu Mzizi and Nonsikelelo Mafa outside a general dealer in Umzimkhulu in July 2017. He died from his injuries months later. The motive was linked to political disputes over a multimillion-rand tender for a community hall upgrade.
Police had gone through extensive efforts to locate Adams before his arrest, including visiting multiple addresses associated with him. Arrangements had been made with his attorney for him to hand himself over on Monday 4 May, at the Cape Town Central Police Station, but he did not cooperate.
Adams had been scheduled to appear before a KwaZulu-Natal court on Monday but failed to do so. Despite numerous attempts by SAPS to make contact with his legal representative, Adams did not make himself available to police before his arrest.
Adams was sworn in as an MP in June 2024 and serves as the founder and leader of the National Coloured Congress. In September 2025, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Adams of reckless handling of classified intelligence documents related to police investigations.
The murder trial of other accused in the Magaqa case, including former Umzimkhulu manager Zweliphansi Stanley Skhosana, former policeman Sbonelo Myeza, and businessman Mbulelo Mpofana, remains ongoing in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
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