By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will lay criminal charges against former SA Police Services (SAPS) Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan.
Khan was expected to testify remotely on Monday, 28 September 2026 but instead his legal representatives applied for a postponement.
Khan’s lawyer, Advocate Mohammed Valley, argued that doctors had recommended giving his client another month before testifying, citing concerns relating to psychological stress, anxiety, hyperarousal and concentration.
Valley requested that the in-camera proceedings be postponed until Khan had recovered.
The commission, however, rejected the postponement, saying an independent medical assessment had already cleared the way for Khan to testify virtually.
The Commission had previously ordered Khan to undergo an independent medical assessment to establish whether he was fit to testify. The order followed scrutiny of medical certificates submitted on Khan’s behalf, including an allegation that one of the certificates had been backdated.
An independent psychiatrist subsequently found that Khan should appear remotely.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said Khan’s non-attendance was a flagrant disregard of the Commission.
“I take a very dim view of that. And I am very disappointed that his legal representatives seem to associate themselves with Khan’s non-attendance.”
Madlanga also rejected an argument by Khan’s legal representative that certain conditions identified by the independent psychiatrist had not been put in place for Khan to testify.
He has directed the Commission’s secretary to lay criminal charges against Khan for failing to honour the subpoena.
Meanwhile, the commission turned its attention to Mpumalanga taxi boss and businessman, Oupa “Bafana” Sindane.
Gauteng High Court struck off the roll his urgent application seeking to interdict the commission from hearing his testimony or reading his WhatsApp evidence into the record.
Leading the evidence, Advocate Matthews Chaskalson SC read WhatsApp messages, detailing Sindane and taxi bosses Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni used threats, intimidation and the prospect of violent disruption to extract money from businessmen operating in Mpumalanga.
The allegations were made by businessman Dr Tengane Thomas Ntuli, who opened a R2 million extortion case against Sibanyoni and Sindane.
The commission heard how the alleged demands were communicated and enforced.
Chaskalson told the commission that the affidavits and WhatsApp exchanges pointed to what he characterised as an alleged “extortion racket” involving threats of violence.
“What we see in the affidavits of Ntuli and the chats is essentially an extortion racket enforced with threats of violence,” Chaskalson said.
Sibanyoni, Sindane, and Mvimbi Masilela were arrested in May 2026 and charged with extortion and money laundering following Ntuli’s complaint.
The commission also heard evidence concerning alleged payments towards the legal defence of two men convicted of taxi-related murders.
Chaskalson referred to WhatsApp exchanges involving an attorney who repeatedly sought payment from Sindane for representing Gwabo Mahlangu and Tshegofatso Makofane.
He told the commission that the messages appeared to suggest Sibanyoni and Sindane were involved in paying the legal expenses of the two convicted men.
The commission is expected to continue examining the WhatsApp exchanges and allegations involving Sindane and Sibanyoni when proceedings resume on Tuesday, 29 August 2026.