The South African Police Service (SAPS) has indicated that the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), supported by various law enforcement units, executed a search and seizure at an apartment linked to Major General Feroz Khan.
Image: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers
TWO senior officers from the SAPS and a civilian have been arrested in connection with illegal precious metals transactions, as part of an extensive investigation by the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations ((GCI-OPS).
The SAPS confirmed the arrests.
National Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, revealed that the suspects were arrested following investigations into allegations of illicit precious metals transactions, corruption, and related offences.
"The arrests were effected over the weekend by the team who executed a J50 warrant of arrest. These arrests form part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks involved in the illicit trade of precious minerals and corruption," Mathe said.
She said the suspects were expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges that could include the unlawful dealing in precious metals, defeating the ends of justice, corruption, and contravention of applicable legislation regulating precious metals in South Africa.
Media reports have indicated that the two high-ranking police officials that were arrested are Gauteng Hawks head Ebrahim Kadwa and Crime Intelligence Major-General Feroz Khan.
Police said they would not confirm the identities of the two police officials, until they appear in court.
According to media reports, the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), backed by other law enforcement units, conducted a search and seizure operation at an apartment belonging to Khan on Sunday.
Reports indicated that Kadwa was arrested on Saturday, while Khan was arrested shortly after his apartment in Houghton, Johannesburg, was raided on Sunday morning.
It is not clear if Khan, who was head of SAPS Counter and Security Intelligence until last year, when he was moved to another division within Crime Intelligence, was present the during the raid.
Khan has been accused of being “a political fixer” and a politically protected person at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi further claimed that he received protection from senior politicians to shield him from investigations.
During his testimony before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee, Mkhwanazi alleged that former Police Minister Bheki Cele pressured him in 2021 to protect Khan during an investigation into a massive drug bust.
This was after Khan was accused of defeating the ends of justice and bringing the SAPS into disrepute for allegedly interfering with the investigation after other officers reportedly tried to steal the narcotics.
However, IOL reported that Khan was acquitted of all charges in a disciplinary process in 2025. He won the acquittal after appealing a 2024 Labour Court ruling that had allowed the police to institute an expedited disciplinary process.