Top police generals accused of helping businessman dodge arrest over gold

Who is charged and what are the allegations?

Police have charged Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa and Durban businessman Tariq Downes with contravening section 4 of the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005 and with defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.

How did the events unfold, according to police?

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said Downes allegedly misled Hawks officers in 2021 by claiming he was working as a police informer during an operation. Mathe said Khan and Kadwa were then allegedly contacted and confirmed that Downes was an undercover operative who should be released.

“We then realised that at the time he was not an informer because for you to become an informer you must be registered with SAPS and you must have a handler,” Mathe said.

Police reaction and investigation status

Mathe described the allegations against the two senior officers as “deeply concerning” and said investigators believe there was collusion to defeat the ends of justice. The police said investigations later found Downes was not a registered informer and was never supposed to be freed.

Court process

The three accused were each granted R20,000 bail. The matter was postponed to 14 July 2026 for further investigation.

Charges named in court

• Contravening section 4 of the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005
• Defeating or obstructing the administration of justice

The case was reported by IOL on 12 May 2026.