South African police dismiss deputy head of criminal intelligence Feroz Khan
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed the deputy head of criminal intelligence, Major General Feroz Khan, after he failed to appear at an expedited disciplinary hearing. SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said on September 2 that Khan was “deemed dismissed” under regulation 9(7)(b) of the service’s disciplinary rules.
As Daily Maverick reports, the Labour Court had previously dismissed Khan’s urgent application seeking to halt the disciplinary process. SAPS said the dismissal resulted from his failure to appear before the official responsible for handling the matter on an expedited basis.
Airport gold case
Khan is also involved in criminal proceedings at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court. In May, he was arrested along with the head of the Hawks unit in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, and businessman Tariq Dawood over suspicions related to unlawful possession of precious metals and defeating the ends of justice.
The proceedings concern an incident at OR Tambo Airport in May 2021. According to the prosecution, 75.9 grams of unrefined gold were found in Dawood’s possession. He claimed that he was acting as part of an undercover operation, while Khan and Kadwa allegedly intervened to secure his release. Prosecutors maintain that the investigation found no authorization for such an operation. Khan and the other accused were released on bail of 20,000 rand each; the case remains before the court.
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Claims at the Madlanga Commission
At the Madlanga Commission, witnesses made a number of claims concerning Khan in connection with his work in criminal intelligence. In particular, he was accused of possible interference in the handling of a case involving the seizure of a large cocaine shipment in Aeroton in 2021.
Leaders of the evidence presentation team also displayed WhatsApp correspondence and other materials seized from Khan’s electronic devices. In their view, these materials indicate that he helped tobacco entrepreneur Mohamed “Mo” Sayed obtain tenders. The commission also heard claims about his contacts with EFF leader Julius Malema and questions concerning Khan’s finances, including his purchase of about 30 cars in one year and property valued at 39 million rand.
Khan has not yet testified before the commission. The commission stressed that the claims against him remain unverified and that he has not had an opportunity to respond to all the allegations made.
