The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has begun outlining evidence gathered against suspended Crime Intelligence Deputy Head Feroz Khan, with allegations spanning procurement irregularities, abuse of authority, financial disclosure concerns and links to the illicit tobacco trade.
Leading the evidence before the commission, Advocate Adila Hassim detailed several areas under investigation, including matters relating to government tenders, alleged abuse of office, financial disclosures and the undeclared R3.5 million private jet trip to London undertaken in 2022 by former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi.
Khan was unable to attend the proceedings as he remains in hospital after sustaining critical injuries in a shooting incident last weekend.
Presenting the evidence, Hassim said historical records from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) point to alleged fraud and corruption involving tobacco manufacturer Carnilinx.
She told the commission that part of the evidence relates to Khan's alleged links to the illicit tobacco trade.
Hassim referred to a 2014 affidavit by Carnilinx co-founder Adriano Mazzotti, in which he reportedly admitted that the company had unlawfully acquired tobacco over an extended period.
According to Hassim, the affidavit states that Carnilinx illegally obtained approximately two tonnes of tobacco per week and outlines additional alleged breaches of the law.
"He accepts that Carnilinx acquired tobacco unlawfully and wrongfully at a rate of two tonnes per week over a period of time," Hassim told the commission.
She said the affidavit goes beyond allegations of tax non-compliance and instead raises concerns about more serious criminal conduct.
"What's important about this is that we're no longer talking about tax non-compliance. This affidavit has moved beyond tax non-compliance. It's talking about fraud and corruption," Hassim said.
The commission is continuing to examine evidence relating to Khan's conduct as part of its broader investigation into allegations of wrongdoing within Crime Intelligence.