By Palesa Matlala
• Police say two senior officers and a civilian were arrested after an investigation into illegal precious metals trading and corruption.
• Media reports claim top police bosses Ebrahim Kadwa and Feroz Khan are among those arrested, but police have not confirmed their names.
A huge police scandal has rocked the South African Police Service after two senior officers and a civilian were arrested over illegal precious metals deals.
Police confirmed the arrests followed an investigation by Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operations.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspects were arrested over the weekend.
She said the investigation focused on illegal precious metals trading, corruption and other crimes.
“The arrests form part of ongoing efforts to stop criminal networks involved in illegal precious metals trading and corruption,” said Mathe.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They could face charges of illegal dealing in precious metals, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Police have not officially named the officers arrested.
But reports claim Gauteng Hawks head Ebrahim Kadwa and Crime Intelligence Major General Feroz Khan are involved.
Reports also say the Political Killings Task Team and other police units raided an apartment linked to Khan in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Sunday morning.
Kadwa was reportedly arrested on Saturday.
Khan was allegedly arrested after the raid on Sunday.
It is still unclear if Khan was inside the apartment during the operation.
Khan has faced serious accusations before.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi once called him “a political fixer” who was protected by powerful politicians.
Mkhwanazi also claimed former police minister Bheki Cele pressured him to protect Khan during a major drug investigation in 2021.
Khan had been accused of interfering in the case after officers allegedly tried to steal drugs linked to the bust.
But reports say Khan was cleared of all charges in a disciplinary case in 2025.
Image caption: Police car
Picture: File
