Major General Feroz Khan is accused of interference in police probes.
Image: Supplied
Major General Feroz Khan, the deputy head of Crime Intelligence and head of Counter and Security Intelligence, and Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, the Gauteng Provincial Head of the Hawks, have been accused of interfering in the investigation related to the 2021 Aeroton drug bust in Gauteng.
This was the testimony heard on Monday by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry from Lieutenant Colonel Nkoana Joseph Sebola, of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as Hawks.
Khan and Kadwa were arrested and charged with corruption and defeating the ends of justice after allegations that they unlawfully freed a businessman caught carrying unwrought gold.
Major General Ebrahim Kadwa is accused of interfering with investigations.
Image: Supplied
Sebola’s testimony centred around the seizure of cocaine valued at approximately R300 million, which was intercepted on 9 July 2021 in Aeroton, Johannesburg. Initially, four suspects were arrested, including police officers and a businessman, but charges were later dropped.
Sebola presented texts and screenshots linking local individuals to international drug traffickers and referenced messages received by businessman Tumelo Nku from an alias ‘Alpha,’ highlighting potential implications following the cocaine interception.
He mentioned that individuals from Transnet, SARS Customs, SAPS officials, freight companies, forklift drivers, and business people facilitated the movement of the consignment; details of which were contained in text messages shared via screenshots.
The four individuals are businessman Tumelo Nku; Samuel Mashaba, who worked in traffic services and served as the acting deputy director of Gauteng’s community safety department; Warrant Officer Steve Phakula, a member of the National Intervention Unit; and Warrant Officer Marumo Magane of the Zonkizizwe police station.
“It is also noteworthy that certain senior officers sought to involve themselves in the operational matters relating to the investigation; in my experience, the extent of their involvement in these operational activities was unusual and raised concerns in my mind regarding the nature and purpose of their participation,” Sebola said.
The detective further stated, “As a result, their (senior SAPS officials’) level of involvement created doubts and prompted questions as to whether their actions were entirely consistent with their expected role and responsibilities. I believe that these circumstances warrant careful consideration when assessing the overall facts of the matter.”
Quizzed by the Commissioners, he gave the names of the Generals who involved themselves in operational matters, especially at the Aeroton drug bust, mentioning Khan and Kadwa.
Sebola stated that “in some instances, with some of our Generals, we can’t even understand whether they are assisting or seeking to frustrate a successful investigation of the matters".
The detective mentioned that he was sent to prison to take a statement from Phakula, adding that this was an instruction from Kadwa, who was instructed by Khan.
Asked about other instances of interference, Sebola said he was stationed at OR Tambo International Airport, where he and other officers were forced by other Generals to return the confiscated consignment of undeclared US Dollars to its owner.
“Things have been happening, are happening, and they continue to happen,” he said.