In a significant move for South African law enforcement accountability, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have called for the immediate suspension of Senior Crime Intelligence Officer Feroz Khan and Gauteng head of the Hawks Ebrahim Kadwa.

The high-ranking officials were granted bail on Monday following their arrests over the weekend, relating to charges of illegal dealing and possession of precious metals.

Khan and Kadwa appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday, alongside a Durban businessman Tariq Downes, on charges linked to a 2021 incident involving unlawful handling of raw precious metals. The trio was released on R20 000 bail each.

Committee chairperson Ian Cameron welcomed the arrests, and said it showed nobody was above the law, including high ranking officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

"In line with the precedent that has already been set, the two officers must be suspended to safeguard the credibility of the investigations," he stated, emphasising that the seniority of the accused made quick administrative action essential.

Cameron expressed deep concern that those tasked with combating crime were themselves implicated in it, stating this directly indicted the SAPS and undermined public trust.

"Consequence management must become a non-negotiable pillar of SAPS operations to prevent the further erosion of community trust," he added.

The committee also welcomed the suspension of the SAPS head of supply chain management Lieutenant General Molefe Fani.

This action follows a Special Investigating Unit report regarding Covid-19 procurement irregularities during his tenure at the National Treasury.

Cameron urged that this suspension be followed by rigorous disciplinary proceedings.

DA spokesperson on Police Lisa Schickerling said the SAPS must guarantee that there was no possibility that individuals implicated in wrongdoing return to positions where they could influence investigations, access sensitive information, or interfere, directly or indirectly, with the administration of justice.

“Public confidence in law enforcement is already under severe strain. Any perception that senior officials accused of serious crimes can continue to wield influence would further erode trust in the integrity of SAPS and the Hawks,” she stated.

The DA said it would closely monitor the matter to ensure that due process was followed and that there was no undue interference in the investigation or prosecution.