National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams declared "war" on City of Cape Town Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith, announcing plans for legal action following claims of an alleged murder plot. In a Facebook Live broadcast on September 1, 2026, Adams stated he would instruct his legal team to pursue a case against Smith, including a private prosecution. Adams directly addressed Smith in the broadcast, stating, "JP, you motherf***er. You know you just lit something inside of me. And I said to myself, if this coke-snorting bastard wants war, I’ll give him war." This broadcast marked a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between the two political figures.
Adams added, "We will request the nolle prosequi certificate regarding that attempted murder that your Mayco member, according to your councillors, attempted on my life. I will instruct my attorneys to pursue a private prosecution." These statements show Adams's firm intention to initiate legal proceedings against Smith. Smith unequivocally denied the allegations, stating, "I deny unequivocally that I have ever asked, instructed, authorised or encouraged anyone - directly or indirectly - to threaten or harm Mr Fadiel Adams. The allegation is false." Smith further commented, "A Facebook Live can create smoke; it cannot create evidence," and welcomed an investigation to conclude the matter, asserting his readiness to cooperate fully.
Allegations and Legal Threats
Fadiel Adams first made the allegations against JP Smith last July. Adams claimed that JP Smith had approached a Manenberg councillor to recruit a Hard Livings gangster with the intention of killing him. Adams subsequently reiterated this claim last month at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, bringing the serious accusation to a formal public forum. The claims implicating Smith in a plot to have Adams murdered have been consistently repeated by Adams over several months.
Adams stated in his recent broadcast, "We will request the nolle prosequi certificate regarding that attempted murder that your Mayco member, according to your councillors, attempted on my life. I will instruct my attorneys to pursue a private prosecution." This legal maneuver would allow Adams to proceed with a private prosecution if the National Prosecuting Authority declines to prosecute. Smith has consistently denied the allegations since they were first aired, maintaining a steadfast position against the claims. He stated, "I deny unequivocally that I have ever asked, instructed, authorised or encouraged anyone - directly or indirectly - to threaten or harm Mr Fadiel Adams. The allegation is false." This categorical denial forms the cornerstone of Smith's response to the accusations.
Smith further commented that "A Facebook Live can create smoke; it cannot create evidence." He added, "Mr Adams is free to lay a complaint or pursue any lawful process available to him. I will cooperate fully with any lawful investigation and answer the allegation in the proper forum." Smith indicated that whether a prosecution follows "must be determined by the competent authorities on admissible evidence – not by the person making the allegation during a Facebook broadcast." He welcomed an investigation, stating, "In fact, I would welcome an investigation so that the matter can be concluded and those peddling misinformation or lies can be exposed." Smith concluded, "I have nothing to fear from proper scrutiny. If there is evidence, produce it. Repeating an allegation does not make it true and is actionable in civil legal proceedings." He emphasized that mere repetition of an accusation does not equate to proof and that he is prepared to defend his reputation through legal channels.
Smith's Firm Denials
JP Smith has consistently denied the claims made by Fadiel Adams since they were first aired last July. Smith stated that "a Facebook Live can create smoke; it cannot create evidence. I have nothing to fear from proper scrutiny. If there is evidence, produce it. Repeating an allegation does not make it true and is actionable in civil legal proceedings." He unequivocally denied any involvement in the alleged plot, asserting, "I deny unequivocally that I have ever asked, instructed, authorised or encouraged anyone - directly or indirectly - to threaten or harm Mr Fadiel Adams. The allegation is false." This strong and consistent denial has been a hallmark of Smith's response to Adams's accusations.
Smith indicated that Adams was free to pursue any legal avenues available. "Mr Adams is free to lay a complaint or pursue any lawful process available to him," Smith said, adding, "I will cooperate fully with any lawful investigation and answer the allegation in the proper forum." He further clarified the process for legal action, stating that "whether a prosecution follows must be determined by the competent authorities on admissible evidence – not by the person making the allegation during a Facebook broadcast." Smith expressed a desire for a formal inquiry into the matter, noting, "In fact, I would welcome an investigation so that the matter can be concluded and those peddling misinformation or lies can be exposed." He has consistently maintained that a proper investigation based on admissible evidence is the only way to resolve the matter definitively.
Context and Previous Claims
Fadiel Adams has repeatedly claimed that JP Smith was involved in a plot to have him murdered. Adams initially made these allegations last July, asserting that Smith had approached a Manenberg councillor to recruit a Hard Livings gangster for the purpose of killing him. Adams subsequently reiterated this claim last month during his appearance at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, showing the persistence of his accusations. Despite these serious accusations, Adams did not lay any charges at the time the allegations were first made, a point that Smith has implicitly noted by welcoming a formal complaint.
The recent Facebook Live video, where Adams made further threats against Smith and announced intentions for legal action, has since been removed. In the video, Adams stated his intention to instruct his legal team to pursue a private prosecution against Smith, including requesting a nolle prosequi certificate regarding the alleged attempted murder. This move signals a more formal approach from Adams after months of public accusations. Smith has consistently denied all allegations, stating that he has never authorized or encouraged anyone to harm Adams. He has also welcomed a formal investigation to resolve the matter and expose any misinformation, emphasizing his belief that such an inquiry would vindicate him. The ongoing dispute notes a deep rift between the two political figures, with legal action now appearing to be the next step in their public confrontation.
