The Madlanga Commission has raised questions about the role played by senior police officers during the Aeroton cocaine bust, amid concerns that the investigation may have been compromised.
During proceedings, Commissioner Sandile Khumalo questioned whether the actions of suspended SAPS Major General Feroz Khan at the scene amounted to interference in the investigation into the July 2021 drug seizure in Johannesburg.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) senior investigator and assistant director Takalani Maphosho told the commission that instructions allegedly issued at the scene “may have disrupted further searches that could have uncovered additional contraband”.
The commission is also preparing to hear testimony from Khan, who is expected to appear on 1 July after withdrawing urgent court applications against both the commission and the police. He had sought to prevent investigators from accessing information from electronic devices seized during last month’s raids and requested that parts of the inquiry be held in camera.
“Khan’s testimony is key due to serious allegations involving police officers,” commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said.
Meanwhile, Hawks Lieutenant-Colonel Nkoana Sebola testified on Monday about screenshots of messages allegedly exchanged between businessman Tumelo Ngu and an alleged police informant known as Alpha. An initial tip-off led authorities to the Aeroton cocaine bust, where about 715kg of cocaine worth more than R300 million was seized.
“The screenshots appeared to originate from Transnet systems and formed part of investigations,” Sebola told evidence leader Thabang Pooe.
The Madlanga Commission is probing allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration within law enforcement agencies, with the Aeroton drug bust forming a key part of its investigation into possible collusion between organised crime and senior police officials.
Photo: Screenshot
