Deputy Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan’s urgent application to have electronic devices seized during a police raid returned to him has been struck off the roll by the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
The matter was heard on Friday, where Khan argued that the confiscated devices contained sensitive information relating to undercover police operations, political killings and gang violence investigations.
Khan warned that unrestricted access to the information could compromise national security and place lives at risk.
However, in opposing papers before the court, the South African Police Service (SAPS) argued that Khan had not held the necessary security clearance to deal with high-level intelligence matters since 2023.
Police further contended that the application had become moot because the devices were no longer in SAPS possession, having since been handed over to the Madlanga Commission.
As a result, Khan will now need to institute separate legal proceedings against the commission should he wish to seek the return of the devices.
Khan was arrested on allegations relating to the unlawful possession of unprocessed gold.
He has maintained that police conducted an unlawful and unconstitutional warrantless search at his residence during the operation.
During the raid, authorities seized electronic devices, firearms and ammunition.
The matter forms part of ongoing legal and investigative proceedings surrounding the senior Crime Intelligence official.