Adams arrest was unlawful, unprocedural: Mashale

[FILE] Whistleblower and former SAPS employee Patricia Mashale.

Whistleblower, Patricia Mashale, says the arrest of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader, Fadiel Adams, and the raiding of properties linked to him were unlawful and unprocedural.

She claims that the officers who raided several properties and allegedly assaulted a minor while looking for Adams did not have any search warrants.

“They raided the house, there was also no search warrant. Sunday morning, Fadiel received an e-mail from General Mkhwanazi where he also asked the Head of detectives, Mayor General Gopal, whether he’s aware of a warrant of arrest against Fadiel because he was not aware. In that same e-mail, he said he even called the prosecutor and the prosecutor was not aware of a warrant of arrest just to be arrested on Monday, where the alleged they have raided several properties. They could not find Fadiel then they went to Parliament Village where they arrested him.”

Adams was arrested on Tuesday on charges of defeating and obstructing the ends of justice and fraud relating to the murder case of former ANC Youth League leader Sindiso Magaqa.

He is appearing in the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court, west of Durban, today.

National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe dismissed the claims that the lawyers of Adams were not informed about his whereabouts during his transfer from Cape Town to Durban.

“We can confirm that the lawyers are in constant contact with the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) they have been in contact even before Mr Mr Adams was arrested, even during his transportation when he was being transported to KZN the team kept his lawyers a breast on his status like of indicated when the team booked him in at a local police station here in Durban. The receiving officer confirmed on the entry that they are no complaints from Mr Adams and that he is free from injuries,” says Mashale.

DEVELOPING | SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says NCC MP Fadiel Adams will not be booked at Westville Police Station due to security concerns, despite earlier announcements. She adds that Adams is being held at a local police station. pic.twitter.com/2HsVuGcdBB

— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 6, 2026

Fadiel Adams’ wife, who did not want to give her name, shared her frustration at the polices’ handling of the case, claiming they were being kept in the dark about Adams’ whereabouts on Wednesday.

WATCH | The wife of NCC MP Fadiel Adams says she is disappointed with how police are handling the matter. She says she has been waiting outside the Westville Police Station in Durban for hours and still does not know her husband’s whereabouts. pic.twitter.com/pvfxvt4n9W

— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 6, 2026