Madlanga Commission hears of unlawful conduct by top cops during a drug bust in Areton, Johannesburg.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The Madlanga Commission heard that 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, “functioned as if they were above the law” during the R300 million Aeroton drug bust.
This was the testimony of Witness I before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday. His identity is protected.
Witness I told the Commission: “On the day in question, it was evident that certain official individuals functioned as if they were above the law.” This prompted evidence leader Advocate Thabang Pooe to ask, “When you say certain official individuals, who do you mean?”
Witness I said: “I mean both General Khan and Kadwa.”
He highlighted that they were at the scene giving instructions, something which should be done by senior officials at their level.
Witness I also accused Khan of removing the truck driver from the scene where he was detained.
“General Khan took the driver of the truck where he was contained and moved him away from the scene so that he (driver) can disappear,” he said.
Pooe asked, what he meant by disappear.
Witness I said: “That is the suspicion I had, because the driver was detained but General Khan took him out of the scene. We suspect that he wanted him to disappear from the scene.”
He highlighted that he was concerned that Khan’s actions were meant to protect the driver of the truck, who was caught with drugs.
He added that he called the now-retired head of Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, about Khan’s actions, which resulted in them having a meeting.
“Lebeya took down notes of our discussion, but nothing happened.”
Witness I stated that it was common knowledge that it was being talked about in SAPS corridors and in the streets, off the record, that senior members of the police are working with individuals involved in drugs.
Witness I further stated that it has become known that sharing information with senior members when it comes to narcotics or drug busts will result in the operation being botched.
The testimony continues.