The head of counter-intelligence within the SAPS Crime Intelligence division, Feroz Khan, has been at the centre of several controversies involving professional misconduct, political interference and private business interests. Khan, who joined the police service in 1991, has been accused of being a ‘political fixer’ and politically protected.
Feroz Khan’s Controversies
Khan’s troubles began when KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, claimed that Khan received protection from senior politicians to shield him from investigations. Mkhwanazi alleged that former Police Minister Bheki Cele pressured him in 2021 to protect Khan during an investigation into a massive drug bust.
According to Mkhwanazi, Cele asked him to persuade Major General Jabulani Khumalo—who was investigating Khan—to resign from the SAPS in exchange for a five-year position in Gauteng. Mkhwanazi described this as an attempt to derail the probe and stated he had not spoken to Cele since that day.
Allegations of Interference
Cele, during his testimony, denied allegations that he interfered in operational policing decisions, characterising his interactions as part of legitimate policy oversight. However, Mkhwanazi also described the vetting unit, under Khan, as a ‘dirty office’ that allegedly uses its power to delay or obstruct security clearances for integrity officers while protecting others.
Mkhwanazi also revealed that his top-secret security clearance expired in 2018, and despite applying for renewal, he has not received clearance, adding that Khan has deliberately obstructed this process. He further claimed that Khan’s influence reaches into the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and other external networks, effectively ‘shaping conduct’ beyond the police force.
The following are some key points about Feroz Khan’s controversies:
- Accused of being a ‘political fixer’ and politically protected
- Involved in a massive drug bust investigation
- Allegedly received protection from senior politicians
- Accused of interfering with the investigation
- Won an appeal against disciplinary action in 2025
As the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee continue to investigate these allegations, calls are mounting for Feroz Khan to testify and provide clarity on the matter.
