The head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Gauteng, Ebrahim Kadwa, and senior Crime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan have each been released on bail of R20,000.
The two senior law enforcement officials appeared briefly in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday alongside businessman Tariq Downes.
All three were arrested over the weekend by the Political Killings Task Team in connection with alleged unlawful dealings involving precious metals.
[Security Chief And Senior Police Officers Arrested In Precious Minerals Corruption]
The accused are facing charges of defeating the ends of justice and contravening legislation governing the possession of precious metals.
Downes’ alleged involvement dates back to 2021, when he was found in possession of an unwrought gold bar. At the time, he allegedly told investigating officers that he was working as an undercover operative for the Hawks.
According to investigators, Khan and Kadwa were subsequently contacted and are alleged to have confirmed that Downes was a police informant, leading to his release.
2021 Gold Bar Investigation At The Centre Of The Case
Police later established that Downes was neither a registered informant nor authorised to be released.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the allegations against the two senior officers are troubling.
“We then realise that at the time he was not an informer because for you to become an informer you must be registered with SAPS [South African Police Service] and you must have a handler.”
Mathe said it was deeply concerning that two high-ranking police officials allegedly worked together to defeat the ends of justice.
July 2026 Court Date Set For Further Investigation
The matter has been postponed to 14 July 2026 to allow for further investigations, The Times Post has learned.
Authorities are expected to continue examining the circumstances surrounding Downes’ release and the alleged role played by the two senior officers.
