Two high-ranking South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and a civilian have been arrested on allegations of illegal dealing and unlawful possession of precious metals, as part of a crackdown on corruption linked to illicit mineral transactions.
The suspects, identified by multiple sources as Major General Feroz Khan, head of counter-intelligence in the SAPS Crime Intelligence division, and Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, head of the Hawks in Gauteng, along with an unnamed civilian were detained following an intensive investigation by the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS) unit.
Khan was arrested during a raid on his apartment in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Sunday morning, while Kadwa was taken into custody on Saturday. Police executed J50 warrants of arrest issued by a magistrate.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrests in a statement but did not name the officers. She said the operation stemmed from allegations of illicit precious metals transactions, corruption, and related offences, including defeating the ends of justice and contraventions of legislation regulating the trade in precious minerals.
“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 said.
The three suspects are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court tomorrow Monday, May 11.
Precious metals syndicates have long been a focus of law enforcement in South Africa, where illegal mining and smuggling of gold and other minerals have been linked to organised crime and official corruption.
The case is ongoing, and the suspects have not yet entered pleas.
