PINETOWN, KZN- Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams said continued detention behind bars will worsen his health.
This comes as Adams continues to fight for his release on bail.
In an affidavit, which was read into the court record at the Pinetown Magistrate Court on Wednesday, Adams detailed why he should be granted bail.
I am experiencing severe and ongoing psychological stress
He said he suffers from arthritis in his right shoulder, for which he is taking prescribed medication and is in the process of scheduling a surgical procedure.
“The transport conditions in which I was subjected to during my extradition have exacerbated this condition and may necessitate the expedition of the planned surgery,” he said.
His mental health also featured during his application, saying he is experiencing severe and ongoing psychological stress, which has materially impacted his general well-being.
“This court is respectfully asked to take judicial notice of the well-documented conditions prevailing in South African correction facilities, which are overcrowded, chronically under-resourced, and not conducive to effective management of either physical or mental health conditions.
“Continued detention will significantly and adversely affect my health and my recovery prospects,” he said.
Adams has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, including two counts of defeating the ends of justice and three counts of fraud.
The State accused Adams of falsely claiming he was on official parliamentary duty to gain access to a hitman convicted of killing former ANC Youth League Secretary General, Sindiso Magaqa.
'I deny all the allegations'
However, Adams denied all allegations against him.
"I deny each and every allegation made against me in the strongest possible terms and plead not guilty to all five counts. Without derogating from the generality of this denial, I record the following in brief," he said.
Adams maintains that, as a Member of Parliament serving on the Portfolio Committee on Police, engagement with matters of a policing and correctional services nature falls squarely within the purview of his parliamentary functions.
He argued that MPs are not required to obtain specific mandates for every engagement conducted in pursuance of their oversight responsibilities.
"The visits were conducted in this context, and I did not misrepresent my identity or my status. I attended in my capacity as a Member of Parliament and was received as such.
"The state's allegation that I was not officially mandated by Parliament to conduct these visits fundamentally mischaracterises the nature and the scope of the Parliamentary oversight functions," he said.
Adams seeks bail
Adams was arrested by the Political Killings Task Team in a dramatic takedown last week.
He was transported from Cape Town to KwaZulu-Natal. He was in transit for over 30 hours.
According to police, Adams was driven to KZN, and during that time, he was afforded regular stops and was not transported through the night but rather stayed over in a nearby town.
Adams remains in custody
Court proceedings adjourned.
The matter will be back in court on Friday for the continuation of his bail application.
He remains behind bars.