Authorities have arrested two senior officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and a civilian on charges related to the illegal trading and unlawful possession of precious metals. This operation is part of a broader initiative targeting corruption tied to illegal mineral deals.
Reports indicate that Major General Feroz Khan, who oversees counter-intelligence in the SAPS Crime Intelligence division, and Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, who leads the Hawks in Gauteng, have been detained alongside an unnamed civilian. Their arrests were the result of an in-depth investigation conducted by the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS) unit.
Khan was apprehended during a raid at his residence in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Sunday morning, whereas Kadwa was detained on Saturday. The police acted on J50 warrants obtained from a magistrate.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson for SAPS, confirmed the arrests but refrained from disclosing the officers’ names. She noted that the operation originated from suspicions regarding unlawful transactions involving precious metals, corruption, and related offenses such as obstructing justice and violating laws governing precious mineral trade.
“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.
The defendants are scheduled to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Monday, May 11.
Law enforcement agencies in South Africa have long targeted syndicates engaged in the illegal mining and smuggling of precious metals, which have been associated with organized crime and public corruption.
The investigation is still active, and the individuals have not yet entered their pleas.
