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Stuff from Johannesburg

Arrested Hawks Head and other officials must remain suspended

Statement by Lisa Schickerling MP – DA Spokesperson on Police:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the court appearance of the Gauteng Hawks Head, Ebrahim Kadwa, and Senior Crime Intelligence Officer, Feroz Khan, who have been granted bail following charges related to the illegal dealing and possession of precious metals.

Given the serious nature of these charges, it is critical that the South African Police Service (SAPS) ensures that both officials remain removed from any operational duties for the duration of the criminal proceedings.

The SAPS must guarantee that there is no possibility of these individuals returning to positions where they could influence investigations, access sensitive information, or interfere, directly or indirectly, with the administration of justice.

Public confidence in law enforcement is already under severe strain. Any perception that senior officials accused of serious crimes can continue to wield influence would further erode trust in the integrity of SAPS and the Hawks.

The DA will closely monitor this matter to ensure that due process is followed and that there is no undue interference in the investigation or prosecution.

Editor – Background:

The arrest of Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa (Gauteng Hawks Head) and Major-General Feroz Khan (Senior Crime Intelligence Officer) has indeed sent shockwaves through the South African security cluster.

They appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court today, May 11, 2026, where they were granted bail of R20,000 each. Here is the background and the specific details of the charges they are facing.

1. The Core Charges

The two senior officers, along with Durban businessman Tariq Downes, face several serious charges:

Contravening the Precious Metals Act: Specifically related to the illegal dealing and possession of unwrought gold.

Defeating or Obstructing the Course of Justice: Allegations that they used their official positions to protect an illegal operation.

Corruption: Related to their intervention in a 2021 police investigation.

2. The Incident at OR Tambo (May 2021)

The case dates back to May 5, 2021, and centers on an incident at OR Tambo International Airport:

The Arrest: Tariq Downes was allegedly found in possession of approximately 75.9 grams of unwrought gold (valued at roughly R62,800).

The “Undercover” Claim: During questioning, Downes allegedly claimed the gold was “brass” and that he was working as an undercover agent for senior SAPS officials.

The Intervention: The State alleges that Major-Generals Khan and Kadwa contacted the officers on the scene and instructed them to release Downes, claiming he was indeed part of an authorized undercover operation.

The Investigation: Subsequent internal probes found no record of any such authorized operation, leading to the conclusion that the officers allegedly abused their power to facilitate the release of a suspect.

3. Background on the Accused

Officer Role / Background
Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Gauteng. He is one of the most senior investigators in the country.
Maj-Gen Feroz Khan A high-ranking officer in Crime Intelligence. He has faced previous controversy, including allegations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he was a “political fixer” protected by senior politicians.

4. Current Legal Status

Bail Conditions: Their bail was set at R20,000. They have been ordered to hand over their passports, must not interfere with witnesses, and must notify investigating officers of any intended international travel.

Next Appearance: The matter has been postponed to July 14, 2026, for further investigation.

Police Response: National spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe described the arrests as “deeply concerning” but noted it demonstrates that the SAPS is committed to “rooting out wrongdoing and corruption within our ranks.”

This case is particularly sensitive because it involves the very heads of the units tasked with fighting high-level corruption and organized crime in South Africa’s economic hub.

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Top Star Drive-In: The Cinema on the Mountain of Gold

The Ferreira Dump began growing in the late 1800s, composed of the crushed rock and chemical residue left over after early, inefficient mining processes had extracted as much gold as the technology of the time allowed. By the 1960s, it was a flat-topped, man-made mesa overlooking the city. In a stroke of entrepreneurial genius, the surface was tarred and the Top Star Drive-In was opened. It quickly became a South African institution. Its appeal was not just the movies, but the unparalleled view: as the sun set, the massive white screen would flicker to life against a backdrop of the glowing skyscrapers of the Central Business District, separated from the viewer only by the elevated M2 highway.

In the decades before television arrived in South Africa (1976), the Top Star was a primary social hub. It was a democratic space in an undemocratic time; while the city below was strictly segregated, the “car” served as a private bubble that allowed a degree of social freedom not found in traditional theaters. For many Johannesburgers, the Top Star was a site of nostalgic rites of passage—first dates, family outings where children were piled into the back of station wagons with blankets and flasks of tea, and the Saturday “car market” where the parking lot transformed into a sprawling hub for buying and selling second-hand vehicles.