fullscreen

eFinder

eFinder

Home › Article

WATCH | What you need to know about case against two senior cops

Sowetan · · 225 words · By Herman Moloi
headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing
Generate a natural audio summary of this story
Daily briefing

What to know about WATCH

Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, the head of counter and security intelligence for the crime intelligence division of the police; Gauteng head of Hawks Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa; and Durban-based businessman Tariq Downes appeared in the Kempton Park magistrate’s court on…

Claims checked 9
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center80%
Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, the head of counter and security intelligence for the crime intelligence division of the police; Gauteng head of Hawks Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa; and Durban-based businessman Tariq Downes appeared in the Kempton Park magistrate’s court on…

Why it matters

The trio were arrested over the weekend and charged with illegal dealing and possession of precious metals and obstructing the ends of justice.

Common ground

Here are five things you need to know about the case: - It emanates from May 2021, when Downes was arrested for being in possession of illicit precious metal.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-11-watch-what-you-need-to-know-about-case…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 9 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 4
check_circle Corroborated 3
verified Verified 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
verified
Claim 1: “National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the accused’s refusal to grant police officers access to their devices is affecting the pace of the investigations.”
VERIFIED
A source explicitly quotes NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago expressing concern that the accused are refusing to grant police access to their devices.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Speaking outside court, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the authority is concerned that the accused are refusing to grant police officers access to their devices…
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-11-khan-and-kadwa-ref…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Delays. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Mudolo’s efforts to delay the proceedings included a review application against the authorisation to charge the accused with racketeering (contravention o…
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/court-crushes-bushiri-co-accu…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The State did not oppose bail but requested specific bail conditions for the two senior police officials. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said prosecutors are confident they have a strong case agains…
https://thestar.co.za/saturday-star/news/2026-05-11-prosecut…
info
Claim 2: “He said the police will have to apply to a court to force the accused to open their devices.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results for Kaizer Kganyago in this context discuss other unrelated SIU probes (Siyathemba Municipality, Pule Mabe) and do not mention a court application to force the unlocking of devices in this specific case.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago stated that anyone found to have committed a crime in the latest probe will be prosecuted.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/11/03/siyathemba-municipality-fac…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Before SABC he also worked at the Department of Justice as Head of Media Services for a period of Seven (7) Years. Mr Kganyago will form part of the SIU Executive team and be part of executing the new…
https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/special-investigati…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago revealed that the preservation order prohibits Mabe from selling, leasing, or transferring several assets, including a luxury property in Steyn City and a Porsche 911 …
https://iol.co.za/the-star/news/2024-11-19-siu-secures-prese…
info
Claim 3: “It emanates from May 2021, when Downes was arrested for being in possession of illicit precious metal.”
SINGLE SOURCE
One source specifically mentions the case emanates from an incident in May 2021 when Downes was found with precious stones at OR Tambo. Other search results for 'Tariq' provided general name meanings rather than case facts, leaving only one specific news source confirming the date and event.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Tariq (Arabic: طارق) is an Arabic word and given name. The word is derived from the Arabic verb طرق , (ṭaraqa), meaning "to strike", [2] and into the agentive conjugated doer form طارق , (ṭāriq), mean…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariq
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 7, 2024 · The fascinating baby boy's name, Tariq, originates in Arabic scriptures and means morning star. Read this post to learn more about its history and usage.
https://www.momjunction.com/baby-names/tariq/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Oct 6, 2024 · Meaning & History Means "visitor, knocker at the door" in Arabic, from طرق (ṭaraqa) meaning "to knock" [1]. This is the Arabic name of the morning star. Tariq ibn Ziyad was the Islamic g…
https://www.behindthename.com/name/tariq
info
Claim 4: “The trio were arrested by the Gauteng crime counterintelligence team and allegedly refused to open their electronic gadgets so that further investigations could be conducted.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the arrests are corroborated, the specific detail about refusing to open electronic gadgets is mentioned in one specific source title/snippet, but not explicitly detailed as a joint action by the trio in the other provided snippets.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Khan was called and instructed the officer investigating Downes to release him immediately. It is further alleged that the officer called his supervisor, Kadwa, who also gave instructions regarding Do…
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-05-11-khan-and-kadwa-ref…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feroz Khan, Ebrahim Kadwa: South Africa woke up to shocking news after Gauteng Hawks head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa and Crime Intelligence figure Major Gen...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK-oY26uSCc
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Police generals Feroz Khan and Ebrahim Kadwa arrested in illicit precious metals case.Some investigations are finalised and others are with prosecuting authorities. These arrests will be effected by t…
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZj…
check_circle
Claim 5: “The trio were arrested over the weekend and charged with illegal dealing and possession of precious metals and obstructing the ends of justice.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm the trio was arrested over the weekend on charges related to the Precious Metals Act and obstructing/defeating the course of justice.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The trio was arrested over the weekend on charges of contravening the Precious Metals Act and defeating or obstructing the course of justice."Investigations allegedly established that no authorised un…
https://thestar.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-05-11-just-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The trio were arrested over the weekend and charged with illegal dealing and unlawful possession of precious metals - a case emanating from an incident on May 2021 when Downes was found with precious …
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-05-11-bre…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — “The State further alleges that Khan and Kadwa instructed officers to release Downes, despite there being no supporting documentation for such an operation,” the National Prosecuting Authority explain…
https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/two-senior-cops-court…
check_circle
Claim 6: “It is alleged that at the time Khan and Kadwa ordered police to release him.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources, including the NPA statement cited in SAnews and another report, allege that Khan and Kadwa instructed officers to release Downes.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 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 relate…
https://myjhb.co.za/arrested-hawks-head-and-other-officials-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The labour court last week halted an attempt by the South African Police Service (SAPS) management to subject Major General Feroz Khan, its head of security and counter-intelligence, to an ...
https://mg.co.za/news/2024-12-10-labour-court-ruling-throws-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A bungled drugs bust involving a 715kg cocaine stash said to be worth R300m has rocked the crisis-ridden police crime intelligence unit, with startling claims being made against the division's head, L…
https://www.sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/20…
info
Claim 7: “On his arrest, he allegedly told police that he was an undercover agent, which he was not.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for this claim are irrelevant (discussing Diddy, FBI informants in Michigan, and YouTube copyright), and do not mention Tariq Downes' claims during his arrest.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A YouTube video claimed an undercover FBI agent exposed what he saw when searching one of Sean Diddy Combs properties.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/undercover-fbi-diddy-searc…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — In one high-profile case that culminated in 2012, members of another Michigan militia group accused of planning to kill a police officer were acquitted after the defense successfully argued the conspi…
https://www.rt.com/usa/529783-whitmer-kidnapping-fbi-entrapm…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scWj1BMRHUA
help
Claim 8: “National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said the gold that was found in Downes’s possession was still in a police laboratory.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results regarding Brig Athlenda Mathe's statement about gold in a police laboratory.
check_circle
Claim 9: “Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, the head of counter and security intelligence for the crime intelligence division of the police; Gauteng head of Hawks Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa; and Durban-based businessman Tariq Downes appeared in the Kempton Park magistrate’s court on Monday and were released on R20,000 bail each.”
CORROBORATED
Three independent web search results confirm that Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa, and Tariq Downes appeared in Kempton Park Magistrate's Court and were granted bail of R20,000 each.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — “The three were each granted bail of R20 000 with conditions. “The NPA remains committed to ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law, regardless of the status or seniority of those implic…
https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/two-senior-cops-court…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Crime Intelligence head Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, Durban businessman Tariq Downes, and Gauteng Hawks head Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa have been granted bail of R20,000 each, following their appearance in the Kemp…
https://thestar.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-05-11-just-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Head of crime counter-intelligence Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, Durban businessman Tariq Downes and Gauteng head of Hawks Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa appeared in the dock at Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court. – State …
https://www.africaninsider.com/news/top-cops-feroz-khan-ebra…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.