Gauteng Hawks head Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa and Crime Intelligence Major-General Firoz Khan have both been arrested in a major crackdown on the illegal trade of precious metals and corruption within SAPS.
The arrests were carried out over the weekend by the Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operations (GCI-OPS) following an intensive investigation into illicit transactions involving precious minerals.
A civilian was also taken into custody during the same operation.
According to SAPS National Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the suspects were arrested after investigators executed a J50 warrant. All three are currently being held at Kempton Park Police Station.
The generals are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges that may include unlawful dealing in precious metals, defeating the ends of justice, corruption, and contravention of legislation regulating precious metals in South Africa.
Mathe said the arrests are part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks profiting from the illicit trade of precious minerals.
“These arrests form part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks involved in the illicit trade of precious minerals and corruption,” she said.
The case has sent shockwaves through SAPS, given the seniority of the officers involved and the fact that one was the head of the Hawks in Gauteng — the unit tasked with investigating serious organised crime.
No further details have been released yet on the exact nature of the alleged offences or whether more arrests are imminent. The case is set to resume when the accused appear in court.
