South Africa dismisses General Khan, withdraws case against Khumalo
On September 2, 2026, South African police dismissed the deputy head of crime intelligence, Major General Feroz Khan. The reason was his failure to appear before an official involved in new disciplinary proceedings against him. At the same time, the criminal case against the head of crime intelligence, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, and six of his colleagues was withdrawn, Daily Maverick reports.
The publication notes that Khan's dismissal does not appear to have been based on a finding of guilt in the disciplinary case. According to media reports, he may challenge the decision. In May 2026, Khan was also arrested in a case related to the illegal trade in precious metals.
Cocaine interception case
The conflict between Khan and Khumalo is linked to the interception on July 9, 2021, in Gauteng province of a cocaine shipment estimated to be worth 286 million rand. The cargo was delivered from KwaZulu-Natal, where it had arrived from Brazil through the port of Durban. There were two conflicting versions of events in this case: under one, those involved, including possibly police officers, attempted to flee with the shipment; under the other, law enforcement officers lawfully intercepted the cargo, while other police officers obstructed them.
At the end of 2024, Khan was summoned to an expedited disciplinary hearing. A Johannesburg Labour Court ruling stated that he considered the proceedings an attempt to remove him from his position in the crime intelligence division. Khan claimed that he had reported Khumalo's possible involvement in crimes, misuse of funds and nepotism, and also believed that the head had used the cocaine case to dismiss him. The court did not allow the expedited procedure, and a regular hearing was held instead.
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According to Daily Maverick, in March 2025 KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi found Khan not implicated in the cocaine interception case. Allegations were also made at the Madlanga Commission regarding Khan's possible links to tender manipulation, a tobacco businessman and a politician. At the end of June 2026, he was wounded in a shooting in Gauteng.
Khumalo's positions
Khumalo was arrested at the end of June 2025 in a case involving an allegedly improper appointment. He and six colleagues faced criminal charges, but the case was withdrawn in August 2026. After his arrest, Khumalo was removed from the position of head of crime intelligence.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed on September 3 that Khumalo again holds the post of divisional commissioner for crime intelligence. In addition, he coordinates the work of teams investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, and heads the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations units.
