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Major-General Feroz Khan’s career in the South African Police Service has come under increasing scrutiny, with allegations ranging from his conduct during a major cocaine bust to claims of political and business connections emerging before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Khan, who served as the deputy head of Crime Intelligence, was dismissed by the South African Police Service on Wednesday after he failed to appear before the senior officer handling his expedited disciplinary proceedings.
His dismissal, however, is not the end of the questions surrounding him.
Khan – the director of several businesses, including a car parts chain apparently worth R21 million, and the owner of several luxury properties and vehicles – is still expected to appear before the Madlanga Commission, where a series of witnesses have made allegations concerning his conduct, relationships and alleged interference in police and other State matters.
The allegations have not been tested in the commission because he has yet to give his evidence.
Here is how the controversy surrounding Khan unfolded.
One of the earliest matters to place Khan under scrutiny was the seizure of about 715kg of cocaine at a Scania warehouse in Aeroton, Johannesburg, in 2021.
The drugs were valued at about R300 million.
Evidence before the Madlanga Commission later centred on Khan’s alleged involvement in the operation and what happened after the cocaine was seized.
Warrant Officer Boy Steve Phakula told the commission that Khan asked who the drugs belonged to and that, after Phakula told him there were claims they belonged to Khan, the major-general laughed.
Other evidence alleged that Khan attempted to take control of the operation and later sought to take credit for the bust.
Chief Provincial Inspector Samuel Mashaba of the Gauteng Traffic Police also accused Khan of trying to take credit for the operation despite not having received a briefing from the team involved. These allegations remain untested.
Khan subsequently faced an internal disciplinary process linked to allegations arising from the Aeroton operation.
The process cleared him.
But that outcome later became part of the wider controversy surrounding Khan when witnesses before the Madlanga Commission raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the disciplinary process.
The commission heard allegations that information presented during the process was misleading. These are allegations and have not been established as findings against Khan.
Khan’s name became increasingly prominent in the police corruption saga emanating from KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive July 6, 2025 press conference.
Mkhwanazi’s allegations about interference and corruption within the police service helped trigger the establishment of the Madlanga Commission.
The commission subsequently examined a number of allegations involving senior police officials and their alleged relationships with politicians and businesspeople.
Khan emerged as one of the senior officers at the centre of that scrutiny.
In May, Khan was arrested alongside Gauteng Hawks head Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa and businessman Tariq Downes in a case involving alleged illicit dealings in precious metals.
Khan appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court and was released on R20,000 bail.
The criminal allegations are separate from the Madlanga Commission’s inquiry and have not been pronounced on by a court.
One of the most explosive allegations against Khan emerged on June 30 when MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe appeared before the Madlanga Commission.
Shongwe told the inquiry that he had been offered R10 million, a security tender and bulletproof BMWs in an attempt to stop him from pursuing questions about Khan.
He said the approach followed his efforts to have Khan appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations concerning the police.
Shongwe also testified about a video call involving Khan, saying the senior police officer became emotional and told him: “You are suffocating me.”
The commission record states that Shongwe’s allegations were untested. Khan has not given his version before the commission.
Another strand of the Khan saga involved former prosecutor and Investigating Directorate Against Corruption head Advocate Andrea Johnson.
Retired Hawks Colonel Kobus Roelofse told the commission in July that Johnson, while working as an NPA prosecutor, allegedly caused the contents of a 2018 assault docket involving Khan to be sent to a Crime Intelligence officer.
According to the evidence, the docket was allegedly provided to Khan before he had given his warning statement.
The allegation was that this could have allowed Khan to tailor his version of events.
Johnson later appeared before the commission and was questioned about her relationship with Khan.
WhatsApp exchanges between the two were placed before the inquiry, including messages in which Khan referred to Johnson as “gorgeous”. Johnson accepted that their relationship had been “very deep” and personal.
The commission stressed that a personal relationship was not itself misconduct. The significance of the relationship arose from the separate, untested allegation concerning the 2018 assault docket.
Johnson invoked her right against self-incrimination when questioned about that allegation.
On June 28, just days before he was due to appear before the Madlanga Commission, Khan was shot in Houghton, Johannesburg.
He survived the shooting and was hospitalised.
The commission subsequently had to consider whether and when he would be fit to testify.
No motive for the shooting has been established.
With Khan unable to testify, the commission continued hearing evidence concerning him.
Evidence leaders placed WhatsApp messages and other material before the inquiry relating to Khan’s alleged dealings with businessman Mohamed “Mo” Sayed.
The commission also heard allegations concerning tenders, confidential police information and Khan’s alleged financial interests.
Questions were raised about his wealth and assets, including evidence concerning his property portfolio and vehicles.
These allegations were presented to the commission as evidence requiring consideration and have not amounted to findings of guilt against Khan.
Khan was subpoenaed to appear before the commission on September 1.
He did not appear, with his legal representatives attending instead.
The commission considered evidence relating to a medical certificate submitted on Khan’s behalf and ultimately ordered that he undergo an independent medical assessment to determine whether he was fit to testify.
His evidence was postponed to September 28, subject to the conditions imposed by the commission.
Khan was simultaneously fighting an internal SAPS disciplinary process.
An expedited disciplinary inquiry had found him guilty of misconduct and bringing the service into disrepute.
He approached the Labour Court in an attempt to stop the disciplinary process, but his urgent application was struck off the roll on September 1.
That left the way open for the SAPS to proceed with the disciplinary outcome.
On Wednesday, September 2, SAPS confirmed that Khan had been “deemed dismissed” under Regulation 9(7)(b) of the SAPS Discipline Regulations after failing to appear before the officer handling his expedited disciplinary proceedings.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the decision reflected SAPS’s commitment to accountability, discipline and professional conduct.
“No member, regardless of rank or position, is above the law,” Mathe said.
Khan’s dismissal from the SAPS does not end his involvement in the Madlanga Commission.
He remains subpoenaed and is expected to testify on September 28, subject to the medical conditions imposed by the inquiry.
That appearance could finally give Khan an opportunity to respond directly, under oath, to the allegations that have accumulated around him.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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