By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The case against Gauteng Hawks head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, crime intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan, and businessman Tariq Downes returned to the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court this morning.
The trio faces charges related to the unlawful possession and dealing in precious metals.
The accused are out on R20,000 bail each following their arrest in May.
During court proceedings on Tuesday, it emerged that a warrant of arrest has been issued for Khan. However, the warrant will not be executed immediately, as it has been stayed pending the next court appearance.
This comes as Khan was still hospitalised following an apparent assassination attempt earlier this month.
The case was postponed to 2 September to allow the State to finalise its investigations and complete the disclosure of evidence to the defence.
The aim of the postponement is to give the state more time to disclosure the contents of the docket.
The State has committed to providing full disclosure by 1 August, including a list of individuals the defence may not consult with — a process described as complex and sensitive.
“At this stage, Your Worship, we are trying by all means to prevent the disclosure of the names… we will only be able to disclose those names when we do the discovery of the docket,” the Prosecutor said.
Defence teams indicated they were aligned with the State’s proposed timelines and disclosure arrangements.
Meanwhile Khan’s lawyer, Kylen Ghirao, says he is optimistic that his client will be fit to attend court proceedings in September when the matter returns to court.
Khan (57) remains unconscious in Milpark Hospital after undergoing surgery for wounds sustained during an apparent assassination attempt on 28 June before he was due to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry as a key witness.
Khan’s evidence has not been put on ice while he remains “non-verbal” and hooked up to machines, and on Thursday, 9 July, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the evidence deadline of the commission to 2 October, so Khan could still testify. The final report is now due on 16 November.