- Police executed a search and seizure warrant at the Johannesburg property of a prominent tobacco businessman
- The unnamed tycoon was reportedly a close associate of former Crime Intelligence Deputy Head Feroz Khan
- South Africans weighed in on the raid at the property, sharing various reactions to the latest development
Source: UGC
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — Police have raided the Johannesburg property of a tobacco tycoon with reported ties to former SAPS Crime Intelligence Deputy Head Feroz Khan.
The move appears to be an escalating law enforcement push targeting networks exposed through the Madlanga Commission. The raid, reported by journalist Pule Letshwiti-Jones on X on 12 October 2026, involved officers executing a search and seizure warrant at the businessman's property.
The identity of the tobacco figure has not been made public.
Links to Feroz Khan and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
According to Letshwiti-Jones, the businessman was a close associate of Khan at some point, and his name surfaced during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission.
Khan, the former Deputy Head of SAPS Crime Intelligence, faced extensive scrutiny at the commission over alleged relationships with tobacco industry figures, including evidence of WhatsApp communications relating to tenders, procurement and operations targeting competitors in the illicit cigarette trade.
The businessman is also alleged to have had previous ties to taxi bosses, broadening the potential scope of any investigation beyond the tobacco sector alone. He has not been named as he has not been arrested or charged with anything.
Social media reacts to the raid
News of the raid drew immediate public reaction online.
@uMaster_Sandz wrote:
"This is the time the SA Police Service cleanses itself."
@CuteUncle01 commented:
"The net is getting closer and closer."
@NhlanhlaKumalo3 noted:
"It's a busy week!!"
@ntsundu_ added:
"There we go, the Red brigade will start throwing insults all over the TL."
@SizweM75 simply wrote:
"Fighters won't like this."
Khan's relative shot dead
Briefly News reported that Preggy Padayachee, the uncle-in-law of former police official Khan, was shot and killed in Ekurhuleni.
A friend travelling with Padayachee sustained injuries in what sources describe as an apparent hit on the night of 5 October 2026.
The shooting occurred the night before Khan was finally scheduled to testify at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Source: Briefly News
Authors:
Tags:
Hot: