Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission on Friday afternoon heard allegations that suspended deputy Crime Intelligence boss Major-General Feroz Khan helped businessmen access government tenders and exchanged hostile messages about journalists reporting on corruption and the illicit tobacco trade.
Khan was absent from proceedings while evidence was being led. He is still in the hospital after an alleged failed hit on his life on Sunday night.
Evidence leader Adila Hassim spent much of the afternoon leading evidence from WhatsApp conversations recovered from Khan’s phones, telling commissioners the messages revealed “a pattern of conduct” centred on financial benefit through government procurement.
Among the conversations examined were exchanges between Khan and businessman Mohammed “Mo” Sayed — founder of Carnilinx Tobacco — relating to proposed warehouse leases, National Treasury opportunities and COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts.
“I took you through some detail on this because it shows a pattern of conduct, and the relationship between Mr. Sayed and General Khan that involves financial beneficiation. That’s not the only aspect of the chats with Mr. Mo Sayed, but as I said when I started out, I wanted to start with the tenders first before going into other aspects of the themes such as abuse of authority, etc,” Hassim said.
According to the evidence, Sayed informed Khan that two warehouses were nearing completion and asked him to engage a person referred to as “the pilot” regarding leasing the facilities to National Treasury.
One message presented to the commission showed Sayed asking: “[Bru] when you are with the pilot please ask him what’s the RT number to fill in for the warehouse rental. I want to put Jet Park on the system.”
Khan replied: “Please don’t discuss with Ali. We are in the meeting now with the pilot.”
Hassim told the commission that “General Khan participated in this private commercial effort concerning Cyberia’s master agreement with the National Treasury.”
Cyberia is the technology company that held a R280 million National Treasury IT contract to roll out a financial-management platform across public-sector payrolls.
The commission also examined communications between Khan and businessman Ismail Vally concerning National Treasury automotive parts tender RT45.
Hassim alleged the conversations suggested attempts to obtain privileged information before the tender was advertised and efforts to influence specifications.
One message showed Vally asking: “Can our guy change something on spec to remove that multiple suppliers for one province? Better if one supplier per region.”
Khan responded: “I think it’s late to change the specifications now, let me try.”
Further messages reflected Vally seeking updates on when the tender would be advertised, while Khan repeatedly indicated he was communicating with an unnamed contact.
In another exchange, Vally suggested meeting the contact over lunch. Later, after thanking Khan, Vally added: “Bro you must know I really appreciate what you’re doing for me, and I’ll honour your name and this deal till I die.”
Proceedings also focused on messages concerning journalists, including eNCA Crime Watch presenter, anti-crime activist and Tax Justice South Africa founder Yusuf Abramjee.
Hassim led evidence showing Sayed forwarded Khan a Tax Justice South Africa media statement by Abramjee alleging that illicit cigarette brands, including Carnilinx, were being sold below the minimum collectible tax.
According to the evidence, Sayed responded by saying Abramjee was going to get assaulted.
Khan’s response read: “F him up, bro. He must stay in his lane.”
The commission heard that further exchanges followed another Abramjee social media post highlighting survey findings on allegedly under-priced Carnilinx cigarette brands.
Sayed wrote: “He is asking for it, bro.” Khan responded: “We can sort it out easily.”
Hassim said the exchanges formed part of a pattern of hostility towards journalists.
“The reason I’m actually drawing this to the commission’s attention is not just because it’s linked to Carnilinx and the subject matter we’ve been discussing and the allegations of illegal and criminal conduct by Carnilinx, but because it’s not the only incident in which there is this attitude and hostility towards other individuals, including journalists,” she said.
The commission also examined another conversation in which a police colleague shared a media article concerning alleged SAPS PPE corruption. After discussing articles written by a Daily Maverick journalist, the colleague messaged Khan: “Counter needs to be activated on this journalist.”
Asked by commissioners what the message meant, Hassim replied: “It could mean counter-intelligence. It could mean counter-attack. You know I can’t say for sure, Chair, but it is something that needs to be done.”
The commission will continue on Monday.
INSIDE POLITICS
