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Madlanga Commission Receives Khan’s Devices as Digital Leads Tie Transnet Worker and Businessman to Missing Aeroton Cocaine

Newly available electronic material could clarify whether senior police or port insiders colluded to siphon about 136 kilograms from the 715.86kg 2021 Aeroton seizure.

Overview

  • Tuesday the High Court bid by Major‑General Feroz Khan was withdrawn, investigators were granted access to his seized phones and tablet, and the commission has summoned him to testify from 1 July.
  • Hawks testimony has presented cellphone‑tower tracking and screen‑grabbed messages that place businessman Tumelo Nku on the same route as the truck carrying the Aeroton consignment and show a screenshot sourced from a Transnet system, which investigators say indicates an internal leak.
  • Witnesses told the commission that messages were exchanged on the secure Threema app but that investigators only recovered screenshots and therefore cannot definitively link every chat to the Aeroton operation.
  • A police witness known as Witness I alleged he was offered a promotion to change his Aeroton statement and later disclosed threats and a secret stay at an alleged cartel figure’s home, highlighting personal risk and attempts to influence testimony.
  • The inquiry is focused on documented chain‑of‑custody failures—including drugs moved to Pretoria West before the Forensic Science Laboratory and a 136.46kg shortfall—and its findings could shape prosecutions, discipline for senior officers and changes to port and evidence handling procedures.