Businessman Tariq Downes, the Head of Intelligence in the South African Police Service (SAPS) Major-General Feroz Khan, and the Head of the Gauteng Province of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Major-General Ebrahim Ahmed Kadwa, appeared for the first time before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing two charges of violating the law governing the management of mineral resources and obstructing the operation of the law.
They were granted bail of R20 000 each under conditions that they do not interfere with the investigation or contact witnesses. They are also required to provide the investigators with their travel documents by May 12.
The three must notify the detective within 72 hours if they intend to leave. The case was adjourned to July 14 for further investigation.
The State did not oppose the grant of bail.
Khan was arrested on Sunday following a police raid on his flat in Houghton.
The charges stem from an incident on 5 May 2021, when Downes was allegedly found with 75.9 grams of gold, valued at R62 836, at OR Tambo International Airport. When he was questioned, he is said to have said that he was carrying it because of his undercover work linked to senior SAPS officials.
The investigation revealed that no authorized underground operation involving precious minerals existed at the time. The state also claims that Khan and Kadwa ordered the police to release Downes despite the fact that there are no documents supporting the operation.
Speaking outside the court, Athlenda Mathe, SAPS spokesperson said it is disappointing to have senior officials in the court.