Two senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officers and a Durban businessman received bail on Monday in a high-profile case involving alleged unlawful dealing in precious metals. Major General Feroz Khan of Crime Intelligence and Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, head of the Gauteng Hawks, appeared alongside Tariq Downes in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court.

The court granted each accused R20 000 bail. Authorities arrested the trio over the weekend following an investigation by the Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operations unit.

Court Grants Bail to Senior SAPS Officers and Businessman

The three men faced charges that include contravening Section 4 of the Precious Metals Act 37 of 2005 and defeating the ends of justice. Some reports also reference corruption. The state did not oppose bail, and the magistrate imposed conditions that the accused must not interfere with the investigation or contact witnesses.

Court officials postponed the matter to 14 July 2026 for further proceedings. This outcome follows the arrests confirmed by SAPS on Sunday, 10 May 2026.

Case Linked to 2021 OR Tambo Incident

Investigators connect the current charges to an event on 5 May 2021 at OR Tambo International Airport. Officials stopped Tariq Downes with approximately 300g of unwrought gold valued at roughly R250 000.

The arrests form part of a wider probe into illicit precious metals transactions. SAPS confirmed the operation targeted alleged unlawful dealing, corruption and related offences.

Reactions and Next Steps

The accused deny the allegations. No immediate statements emerged from the SAPS or the individuals after the bail hearing.

Separately, the MK Party called for the immediate suspension of Major Generals Khan and Kadwa pending the outcome of the investigations. Officials have not yet commented publicly on this demand.