Public reaction is growing following reports that former Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan has repeatedly failed to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The situation has attracted attention as South Africans continue to follow the commission’s proceedings and demand answers about accountability within the country’s criminal justice system.
Khan reported absence has raised questions among members of the public about the importance of witnesses appearing before an inquiry tasked with examining serious allegations and issues within law enforcement. For many observers, the commission represents an opportunity to establish facts, examine evidence and clarify questions surrounding individuals connected to the criminal justice system.
The controversy intensified after Khan failed to attend a scheduled appearance on 28 September 2026. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga rejected a further postponement request and directed the commission’s secretary to take steps to lay criminal charges over his failure to comply with the subpoena.
The commission had previously postponed Khan’s testimony following a shooting in Johannesburg that left him wounded. His legal team later raised concerns about his psychological condition and proposed that he testify virtually. However, the commission maintained that its instructions and the subpoena had to be respected.
The latest developments have fuelled public debate about accountability, the authority of commissions of inquiry and whether people summoned to provide evidence should be held to the same legal standards.
Khan has been linked to allegations discussed during the commission’s investigation, including matters concerning Crime Intelligence and the 2021 Aeroton cocaine seizure. These remain allegations, not findings of guilt, and Khan has not yet given his testimony before the commission.
On 6 October, the commission’s planned in-camera appearance was postponed after it was informed that Khan was unable to testify following the fatal shooting of a family member. This development added another complication to efforts to hear his evidence.
As the public continues to react, attention remains on what happens next and whether Khan will eventually appear to answer questions before the inquiry.
For many South Africans following the matter, the central issue is the need for a transparent process that respects the law, considers legitimate medical circumstances and ensures that serious allegations are examined fairly.
