By Palesa Matlala
• Commission documents claim Emmanuel Mbense’s killers discussed calling a senior Crime Intelligence officer for help after murdering him.
• Major General Feroz Khan is accused of leaking sensitive police information and interfering in investigations, allegations he has not yet answered under oath.
The men accused of killing Emmanuel Mbense allegedly believed they had powerful protection.
According to explosive court papers filed by the Madlanga Commission, one of the suspects remained calm after Mbense was tortured and killed.
Documents claim the suspect told his accomplices he would contact Deputy Crime Intelligence head Major General Feroz Khan to “fix this” and help them get rid of the body.
Mbense, a father of five, was allegedly suffocated with a plastic bag and repeatedly assaulted before he died.
His body was later dumped in Duduza Dam in Nigel.
These allegations form part of a 750-page court filing released this week by the Madlanga Commission.
The documents alleging that Khan abused his position by leaking sensitive police information and interfering in investigations. This is evidence gathered by commission investigators.
Khan has not been found guilty of any crime and is expected to respond to the allegations when he appears before the commission
The court papers were released after Khan withdrew an urgent application that sought to stop the commission from accessing information found on electronic devices seized during his arrest last month.
Investigators seized an iPhone 11 and a hard drive during his arrest at his Houghton home in Johannesburg.
Gauteng Hawks head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa and Durban businessman Tariq Downes were also arrested.
The commission claims downloaded WhatsApp messages found on the devices show Khan communicating with alleged tobacco smuggler Mohammed “Mo” Sayed.
According to the documents, Khan allegedly shared confidential police information with Sayed and other associates.
One of the most serious claims is that he leaked sensitive police files, including the identity and home address of VBS Mutual Bank curator Anoosh Rooplal.
The commission alleges this information was later passed to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema.
These allegations are contained in an affidavit compiled by investigator Tshepo Nyatlo.
Nyatlo also refers to historical links between tobacco company Carnilinx and the Economic Freedom Fighters.
According to the affidavit, Carnilinx allegedly donated R650,000 to help fund the party’s registration.
The affidavit further claims that the late Kyle Phillips, a Carnilinx executive, provided Malema with R1-million to settle a South African Revenue Service tax debt.
Nyatlo also alleges that businessman Adriano Mazzotti regularly allowed Malema to use his Sandton penthouse and rented a house to him and his family.
The affidavit further claims Khan attended an Economic Freedom Fighters gala dinner at a table sponsored by Carnilinx.
Nyatlo challenged Khan to respond under oath if he disputes the allegations.
The commission is expected to hear Khan’s evidence from 1 July.
His testimony is likely to be among the most closely watched appearances since the inquiry began.
Pictured Above: Major General Feroz Khan
Image source: File
