Kempton park: Two senior police officers and a businessman appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates' Court on charges related to contravening the Precious Metals Act and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

According to South African Government News Agency, the accused include Major-General Feroz Khan, Head of Counter-Intelligence in the South African Police Service Crime Intelligence Division; Major-General Ebrahim Ahmed Kadwa, Gauteng Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI); and businessman Tariq Downes. The charges stem from a May 5, 2021, incident when Downes was allegedly found with 75.9 grams of unwrought gold, valued at approximately R62,836, at OR Tambo International Airport.

During questioning, Downes allegedly claimed the metal was a brass bar and that he was working as an undercover agent linked to senior SAPS officials. Investigations reportedly established that no authorized undercover operation involving precious metals existed at the time. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that Khan and Kadwa allegedly instructed officers to release Downes, despite there being no supporting documentation for such an operation.

The case is expected to return to court in July. The three accused were each granted bail of R20,000 with conditions. The NPA emphasized its commitment to ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law, regardless of the status or seniority of those implicated in criminal conduct.

Outside the court, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe addressed the media, underscoring the organization's commitment to accountability. "It just shows that as an organisation, we are committed to transparency, to integrity and rooting out wrongdoing and corruption within our ranks. We've always maintained that no one is above the law irrespective of your position, your status and the rank that you hold. This is really a demonstration that the SAPS is committed to rooting out wrongdoing within our ranks," Mathe stated.