High Court strikes off Gauteng Hawks boss Ebrahim Kadwa’s urgent cellphone application

The Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, struck off an urgent application by Gauteng Hawks head Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa seeking the return of electronic devices seized during his arrest.

What the court decided

The High Court handed down the ruling on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, removing Kadwa’s urgent bid from the roll. The application sought the release of his cellphone and other electronic devices that were confiscated when he was arrested in May 2026.

Legal challenge and assertions

Kadwa launched the legal challenge against the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia. In his papers he demanded the release of his cellphone, which he said contains “state secrets.”

In court filings Kadwa described the allegations against him as “unfounded” and said the case is politically motivated. He argued that while police had a warrant to arrest him, they did not have a warrant to seize his phone.

Charges and background

The device was confiscated in May 2026 when Kadwa was arrested in connection with alleged breaches of the Precious Metals Act and charges of defeating and obstructing the course of justice. The charges stem from a 2021 case in which Kadwa is accused alongside police crime intelligence operational support head Major-General Feroz Khan and businessman Tariq Downes.

Kadwa and Khan were arrested last month as part of an investigation by the Gauteng Counter-Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS) into alleged illicit precious-metals transactions, corruption and related offences.

Details from the charge sheet

According to the charge sheet, the matter relates to a 2021 incident at OR Tambo International Airport, where Downes was arrested after being found in possession of raw gold valued at just over R62 000. During questioning, Downes allegedly told police he was working undercover in cooperation with Khan.

When officers contacted Khan by phone, he reportedly confirmed that he knew Downes and supported his version of events, instructing that he be released immediately.

Current status

The urgent application for the return of Kadwa’s electronic devices has been struck off the roll. This is a developing story.