JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan has been ordered to appear before the Madlanga Commission from 1 July.
Court papers running to more than 750 pages and linked to his summons contain allegations that implicate him in several matters under scrutiny by the commission.
The documents contain allegations linking Khan to organised crime figures, the illicit tobacco trade and interference in criminal investigations.
His testimony is expected to be crucial, given the serious allegations that have been levelled against him.
Khan was arrested in May on charges relating to the illegal dealing in and unlawful possession of precious metals. The investigation was conducted by the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS).
Khan, along with Gauteng Hawks head Ebrahim Kadwa and businessman Tariq Downes, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court, where the trio was granted R20,000 bail each.
They were arrested following investigations into allegations of illicit precious metals transactions, corruption and related offences.
They are expected back in court on 14 July, with the matter having been postponed for further investigation.
Khan approached the Gauteng High Court seeking the return of electronic devices seized during a search of his home.
In his urgent application, he argued that the devices contain highly sensitive intelligence information and that their contents could compromise national security, jeopardise undercover operations and place lives at risk if disclosed.
The matter was struck from the court roll after it emerged that the devices had been handed over to the Madlanga Commission. Khan has challenged the legality of the transfer and the commission’s use of the material, arguing that it acted beyond its powers.
Last week, after being ordered to appear before the commission, Khan approached the court on an urgent basis to interdict his appearance in person and prevent access to information contained on his devices.
He also sought an order for his testimony to be heard in camera. However, both applications were later withdrawn.
Allegations against Khan
It is alleged that Khan interfered in the 2021 Aeroton drug bust involving cocaine reportedly worth about R300 million.
Evidence before the commission has alleged that certain law enforcement officials attempted to steal part of the cocaine consignment.
Whistle-blowers and investigators have placed Khan at the centre of those allegations. However, he was cleared during a disciplinary process.
IPID Assistant Director of Investigations Zelda Maphosho testified before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday.
READ: UPDATE: Feroz Khan bid to have devices returned struck off roll
She came under scrutiny over how the investigation into Khan’s conduct during the Aeroton matter was handled.
The commission has expressed concern that the investigations were not properly conducted and that investigators relied heavily on allegations without obtaining versions from both Khan and Kadwa.
Khan and Kadwa also face allegations relating to the attempted smuggling of precious metals.
Downes was allegedly found in possession of the precious metals at OR Tambo International Airport while preparing to board a flight to Durban.
He was later released.
Khan and Kadwa allegedly cleared him, stating that he was a Crime Intelligence operative. Investigators later found that claim to be untrue, leading to the arrests of all three men.
The commission documents also allege that Khan informed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema about developments relating to the curatorship of VBS Mutual Bank.
The documents further allege that Khan communicated with Malema regarding parliamentary matters. Malema has previously acknowledged knowing Khan.
Khan has also been linked in commission documents to the illicit tobacco trade, an industry estimated to cost South Africa billions of rand annually.
"We are dealing with organised criminal syndicates," said activist Yusuf Abramjee.
"The people are involved in smuggling, manufacturing, selling it and the runners. It is a widespread problem," he says.
Abramjee said corruption within law enforcement structures has enabled illicit tobacco products to move across borders.
Evidence before the commission suggests Khan maintained a close relationship with tobacco businessman Mohammad Sayed.
"They have been friends for many years," says Abramjee.
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Information extracted from Khan’s electronic devices allegedly revealed communications between the two men.
Some of the communications allegedly show Sayed requesting law enforcement action against competitors and the seizure of their products.
The communications also contain derogatory references to Abramjee. In one exchange, Khan allegedly indicated that he would “handle” him.
"I must say, I had some suspicion that I was being targeted, but I had no proof and now, this is the proof," he says.
Khan's web of connections
The commission is also examining Khan’s relationships with politicians, businesspeople and individuals linked to ongoing investigations.
According to documents before the commission, Khan allegedly communicated with Malema regarding parliamentary questions and issues relating to policing and intelligence matters.
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Some of the communications allegedly involved questions that could be raised in Parliament by then-EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi to former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
Commission documents also refer to a trip to London by former City of Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi.
The documents allege that Sayed paid R3.5 million for a private jet used for the trip and that Khan assisted in arranging and coordinating it.
Wiandre Pretorius was also alleged to have maintained close ties with Khan and to have worked as a reservist and Crime Intelligence operative.
According to Abramjee, Pretorius conducted tobacco-related operations on behalf of Khan and Sayed.
Pretorius died in February after being implicated in the murder of Marius van der Merwe, known to the commission as Witness D, who was killed on 5 December 2025.
READ: Feroz Khan ordered to testify at Madlanga Commission on 1 July
Sayed’s former bodyguard and former SAPS Special Task Force member Mathipandile Sotheni has since been arrested in connection with Van der Merwe’s murder.
It is alleged that Pretorius supplied information to Sayed through Khan regarding competitors in the tobacco industry.
According to evidence before the commission, competitors’ trucks were subsequently targeted in raids and their consignments confiscated.
Despite the allegations before the commission, Khan was not called to appear before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.
Khan and Kadwa also remain in their positions pending the outcome of ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.