Businessman Tariq Downes, together with senior police officers Major-General Feroz Khan and Major-General Ebrahim Ahmed Kadwa, appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on charges linked to the alleged unlawful possession of precious metals and defeating the ends of justice.
Khan serves as the Head of Counter-Intelligence within the South African Police Service Crime Intelligence division, while Kadwa is the Gauteng Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly took place on 5 May 2021 at OR Tambo International Airport, where Downes was reportedly found in possession of 75.9 grams of unwrought gold valued at about R62 836.
According NPA Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, Downes allegedly told authorities during questioning that the metal was a brass bar and claimed he was operating as an undercover agent linked to senior SAPS officials.
However, investigations allegedly revealed that there was no authorised undercover operation involving precious metals at the time.
Kganyago said it alleged that Khan and Kadwa instructed police officers to release Downes despite there being no official documentation or approval supporting the alleged undercover operation.
He said the trio now faces charges of contravening the Precious Metals Act as well as defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
The matter was postponed to 14 July 2026 for further investigation.
All three accused were granted bail of R20 000 each, subject to certain conditions.
Kganyago said the NPA remains committed to ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law, regardless of the rank or status of those implicated in criminal activity.
