Court strikes off Feroz Khan’s bid to retrieve seized devices

Deputy Crime Intelligence head Major General Feroz Khan’s urgent application to have electronic devices seized during his arrest 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 devices contain highly sensitive intelligence and policing information linked to his role within Crime Intelligence, as well as deeply personal and confidential material.

In his affidavit, Khan warned that unrestricted access to the devices could jeopardise national security, compromise undercover operations, and endanger the lives of intelligence operatives and other individuals.

He further claimed that the information stored on the devices could expose “life-and-death situations” and potentially result in assassinations and financial losses amounting to millions of rands.

Khan maintained that the devices were unlawfully seized and said their continued possession by authorities posed serious security risks.

However, the matter was removed from the court roll after it emerged that the devices are currently in the possession of evidence leaders at the Madlanga Commission.

Sources close to the matter indicated that the commission has since written to Khan, informing him that it is investigating the safety and security concerns raised in his affidavit.

It remains unclear whether Khan has been subpoenaed to appear before the commission.

Khan previously headed Counter Intelligence within Crime Intelligence. Following a disciplinary process in which he was found not guilty, he was later appointed head of Operational Intelligence Support within the division.