Two senior police officers and civilian arrested in precious metals corruption scandal

The SAPS has confirmed the arrest of two senior officers and a civilian, allegedly linked to the illegal dealing and unlawful possession of precious metals, following an intensive investigation by the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS).

National Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, revealed that the suspects were arrested following investigations into allegations of illicit precious metals transactions, corruption, and related offences.

“The arrests were effected over the weekend by the team who executed a J50 warrant of arrest. These arrests form part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks involved in the illicit trade of precious minerals and corruption,” Mathe stated.

She revealed that the suspects are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges that may include the unlawful dealing in precious metals, defeating the ends of justice, corruption, and contravention of applicable legislation regulating precious metals in South Africa.

While media reports have alleged that Gauteng Hawks head Ebrahim Kadwa and Crime Intelligence’s Major-General Feroz Khan are the two high-ranking police officials arrested, the police have not confirmed the identities of the two officials.

According to media reports, the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), backed by other law enforcement units, conducted a search and seizure operation at an apartment belonging to Khan on Sunday.

Media reports have revealed that Kadwa was arrested on Saturday, while Khan was arrested shortly after his apartment in Houghton, Johannesburg, was raided on Sunday morning.

It is not clear if Khan, who was head of SAPS Counter and Security Intelligence until last year, when he was moved to another division within Crime Intelligence, was present the during the raid. 

Khan has been accused of being “a political fixer” and a politically protected person at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi further claimed that he received protection from senior politicians to shield him from investigations. 

During his testimony before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee, Mkhwanazi alleged that former Police Minister Bheki Cele pressured him in 2021 to protect Khan during an investigation into a massive drug bust.

This was after Khan was accused of defeating the ends of justice and bringing the SAPS into disrepute for allegedly interfering with the investigation after other officers reportedly tried to steal the narcotics. 

However, IOL reports that Khan was acquitted of all charges in a disciplinary process in 2025. He won the acquittal after appealing a 2024 Labour Court ruling that had allowed the police to institute an expedited disciplinary process.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za