Senior cops, businessman granted R20K bail in precious metals case

May 11, 2026 55

Two senior police officers, Feroz Khan and Ebrahim Kadwa, along with businessman Tariq Downes, have each been granted R20 000 bail in connection with an alleged illegal precious metals syndicate.

Khan, a Senior Crime Intelligence officer, and Kadwa, the Hawks head in Gauteng, were arrested over the weekend.

The trio made their first appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on charges of contravening the Precious Metals Act and defeating the course of justice.

The charges stem from a 2021 incident in which Downes was allegedly found in possession of 5.9 grams of unwrought gold, valued at approximately R62 836, at OR Tambo International Airport.

The state alleges that during questioning, Downes claimed the metal was a brass bar and that he was acting as an undercover agent linked to senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), investigations allegedly established that no authorised undercover operation involving precious metals existed at the time.

It is further alleged that Khan and Kadwa instructed officers to release Downes despite the absence of any supporting documentation for such an operation.

National Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says the arrests form part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks involved in the illicit trade of precious minerals and corruption.

The matter will return to court on 14 July for further investigation.

Businessman Tariq Downes,Head of Counter-Intelligence in @SAPoliceService Maj.Gen Feroz Khan, & the Gauteng Head of the DPCI, Maj.Gen Ebrahim Ahmed Kadwa, appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on contravention of the Precious Metals Act & defeating course of justice pic.twitter.com/z9cAXpktjz

— NPASouthAfrica (@NPA_Prosecutes) May 11, 2026

POLICE CHAIRPERSON WELCOMES ARREST OF SENIOR SAPS OFFICERS AND SUSPENSION OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT HEAD pic.twitter.com/So5bNxcrCs

— Justice-and-security-Cluster (@JustSecuCluster) May 11, 2026