By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard how suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan allegedly used his connections inside the National Treasury to assist businessman Ismail Vally in securing a lucrative South African Police Service (SAPS) motor spares tender, while allegedly receiving cash, luxury goods and other benefits in return.
Continuing her presentation of evidence on Monday afternoon, evidence leader Adila Hassim told the commission that WhatsApp conversations between Khan and Vally painted a picture of an improper relationship in which Khan allegedly acted as an intermediary with officials involved in the procurement process.
Hassim submitted that the exchanges surrounding the Auto Parts tender indicated the arrangement was not intended to benefit Vally alone.
“In my submission, the WhatsApp conversations about the Auto Parts tender suggest the arrangement was not intended to benefit businessman Ismail Vally alone, but that Feroz Khan was also expected to benefit,” she told the commission.
According to Hassim, the messages showed Khan communicating with individuals inside the National Treasury while the procurement process was still underway.
“As we saw with the other tenders we were dealing with on Friday, there’s no direct communication between General Khan and Molefe Fani. The WhatsApp exchanges indicate Feroz Khan spoke with Molefe Fani to arrange a meeting involving himself and/or businessman Ismail Vally,” Hassim said.
The commission heard that SAPS supply chain boss Lieutenant-General Molefe Fani allegedly acted as Khan’s contact within the Treasury in relation to the procurement process.
WhatsApp messages presented before the inquiry showed Vally repeatedly asking Khan to seek updates from an individual referred to as “our man” regarding the progress of the tender.
In one exchange, Vally wrote: “I think our man forgot the meeting.”
Khan replied: “I will call him now.”
In another message, Vally asked: “Please trouble our man for progress, please.”
Khan responded simply: “Ok.”
The commission also heard that Vally forwarded Khan internal information regarding a Microsoft Teams meeting between National Treasury and SAPS officials to discuss amendments to the motor spares contract.
After the meeting reportedly failed to achieve the desired outcome, Vally messaged Khan: “Meeting went sh*t. They wanna retender for all the parts they missed.”
Khan allegedly responded: “Wslm. Dumb c*nts.”
Hassim submitted that the conversations suggested Khan had access to confidential procurement information before contracts had been awarded and was sharing that information with Vally.
The evidence leader further alleged that the messages reflected an ongoing exchange of benefits flowing to Khan.
According to the WhatsApp conversations presented to the commission, Vally at one stage informed Khan that he had R150,000 available for him, after which Khan allegedly sent the banking details of his minor son.
The commission also viewed exchanges in which Vally sent Khan photographs of luxury Rolex watches and invited him to choose one.
Hassim noted that the evidence before the commission suggested the individual sending the photographs was not a Rolex dealer.
In another exchange, Vally allegedly informed Khan that a V8 vehicle and its keys were ready for him.
Hassim submitted that these benefits were consistent with allegations that Khan received gratification linked to procurement syndicates.
The commission also heard further evidence concerning businessman Mohammed “Mo” Sayed, director of Carnilinx, and his alleged relationship with Khan.
Hassim presented evidence relating to a luxury private charter flight to London in 2022 involving former Ekurhuleni city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, her husband and two associates.
The commission heard that the charter flight, valued at approximately R3.35 million, was allegedly funded by businessman Ze Nxumalo through Zig Revenue Management.
According to Hassim, WhatsApp conversations showed Sayed forwarding Mashazi’s passport details, immigration documents and flight information directly to Khan.
She questioned why a senior Crime Intelligence officer would have an interest in such travel arrangements and whether any expected benefit was linked to Ekurhuleni’s procurement processes.
Later in proceedings, chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson sought an order for portions of the evidence relating to Khan to be heard in camera, arguing that public disclosure could compromise ongoing investigations and reveal the identities of undercover Crime Intelligence informants.
Commission chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga granted the application in part, ruling that sensitive portions of the evidence would be heard behind closed doors.
He further ruled that the commission’s proceedings would continue on Tuesday and that Khan’s legal team would receive transcripts and audio recordings should they be unable to attend the in camera proceedings.
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