By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission has postponed the in-camera testimony of dismissed Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan after a family member was shot dead on the R21 in Gauteng on Monday night.
Khan appeared remotely before the commission on Tuesday morning, but was unable to proceed with his evidence following the loss.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the circumstances had made it impossible for Khan to testify.
“The Commission has therefore postponed the testimony of Mr Khan to a date which has yet to be determined. The Commission will make further announcements in this regard,” Michaels said.
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Khan’s uncle-in-law, Preggy Padayachee, was shot dead after his vehicle broke down. He was attacked while being assisted by a friend. One passenger was wounded and another escaped unharmed.
Police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder and have yet to establish a motive.
The latest postponement comes as the commission enters a month dominated by in-camera proceedings, with public hearings suspended until 9 November while evidence involving sensitive police intelligence, confidential sources and ongoing investigations is considered.
Among the allegations against Khan are claims surrounding the seizure of about 715kg of cocaine in Aeroton, Johannesburg, in July 2021.
Witnesses previously alleged that Khan interfered with the investigation and scene management and that a substantial quantity of cocaine subsequently disappeared.
The commission has also heard evidence concerning Khan’s alleged relationship with businessman Mohamed “Mo” Sayed, including WhatsApp messages that evidence leaders say indicate Khan assisted Sayed with government tenders and sought to use police intelligence against his competitors.
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Questions have alsobeen raised about Khan’s financial affairs, including evidence concerning his vehicle holdings, a property portfolio estimated at about R39 million and other business interests.
Khan was due to testify in July but was shot in Houghton, Johannesburg, on 28 June in what was alleged to be an assassination attempt.
He was hospitalised and could not appear before the commission.
His lawyers subsequently sought in-camera proceedings for parts of his evidence, citing the sensitivity of Crime Intelligence information. The commission has since heard evidence against him in his absence.
Khan was dismissed by SAPS on 2 September. The dismissal followed a Labour Court application by his union, POPCRU, which was struck off the roll by Judge Connie Prinsloo on 31 August.
The disciplinary process concerned allegations that Khan’s conduct had brought SAPS into disrepute.
Separately, Khan faces a criminal case in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court alongside Gauteng Hawks head Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa and businessman Tariq Downes.
The matter relates to allegations surrounding the handling of an unwrought-gold investigation, with the accused facing charges including corruption and defeating the ends of justice. They were granted R20,000 bail each.
