Evidence presented to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 3 July 2026 suggests that businessman Mohamed “Mo” Sayed repeatedly pressured the suspended Deputy Head of Crime Intelligence, Major General Feroz Khan, to facilitate the awarding of government procurement contracts. WhatsApp correspondence from 2021 indicates that Sayed sought General Khan’s influence to secure a contract with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the supply of branded face masks.
Commission Examines Evidence Of Internal Information Sharing
Advocate Adila Hassim, the commission’s evidence leader, alleged that General Khan acted as a conduit between the businessman and senior procurement officials within the service. Digital records placed before the commission reportedly show the official sharing non-public SAPS procurement requirements and internal guidance directly with Sayed to improve the success of his bid.
“The first document would not have been information that was publicly available. That’s internal SAPS information that would benefit a bidder. The second series of screenshots is General Khan providing information that’s relevant for this tender… it is intended to assist Mr. Sayed in the process of securing the tender,” Advocate Hassim told the commission.
Context Of Alleged Malpractice And Procurement Influence
The Madlanga Commission is currently investigating broader allegations of corruption and the abuse of power within the SAPS, specifically focusing on how state contracts and internal investigations were manipulated during the COVID-19 pandemic. WhatsApp exchanges between 12 January 2021 and June 2021 further suggest a pattern of facilitation, extending to an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) security tender involving 66 guards.
In one message dated 12 January 2021, Sayed questioned the official: “Who can I speak to to get contract to supply SAPS with masks with SAPS logo? I’m making upstairs need to sell.” While these electronic communications have been submitted as evidence, the commission noted that no formal criminal charges have yet been brought against Sayed regarding his business dealings. The investigation into these interactions continues as the commission seeks to determine the full extent of the alleged interference in state procurement processes.
A date for the next phase of the hearing is expected to be finalised by commissioners in the coming weeks.