A sub-section commander from the Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) identified as Witness I, has alleged that he was offered a promotion in exchange for altering his statement relating to Crime Intelligence officer Major General Feroz Khan.
The statement relates to the Aeroton drug bust in 2021 where more than 700 kilograms of cocaine was seized. Evidence before the Commission has suggested that Khan, who arrived at the scene after the initial responding officers, took control of the operation raising concerns of possible obstruction of justice.
Witness I, who has now concluded his testimony, claims that the offer was made by a Crime Intelligence official who was in the presence of alleged political fixer, Brown Mogotsi.
“I refused and told him I cannot change my statement as that would amount to perjury and I could be charged on that. I asked why I should do that and for what purpose. The CI guy said that I will get a bag and they will facilitate for me to get a promotion at work if I help Major General Khan.”
Witness I testified that the handling of the Aeroton drug scene pointed to a possible abuse of power.
He says that he was informed by Sergeant Steve Phakula of the K9 Unit that some of the drugs initially seized in Aeroton had gone missing.
“As weeks passed, I heard from Sergeant Phakula of the K9 Unit that the drugs from the scene were not sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, but instead to the Pretoria West Training College, where they were kept for more than a week before being sent to the FSL. I also learned that the quantity was no longer the same as that collected from the scene. Instead, the number of bricks had decreased by more than 100 in number.”
VIDEO | Madlanga Commission of Inquiry proceedings:
About the Author
