SC0021
Carnilinx illicit tobacco intelligence-capture scheme
Carnilinx shareholders Mo Sayed and Adriano Mazzotti used General Feroz Khan's Crime Intelligence position to: (1) direct SAPS enforcement raids against illicit tobacco competitors (Protobac et al.) while shielding Carnilinx, (2) access SAPS and National Treasury procurement channels (PPE masks, Cyberia Rules Engine contract R700M+), and (3) channel political pressure through Julius Malema (EFF) — directing parliamentary questions at the Inspector General of Intelligence and obtaining information about active criminal investigations (Sandton 79/07/2019 / VBS). Khan received corrupt benefits: 30 vehicles acquired for cash in one year, travel funded by Carnilinx associates.
20 events0 contradictions
People in this scheme
Timeline of events
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1 September 2017
General Feroz Khan was appointed as Major General and Component Head within Crime Intelligence, effective 1 September 2017.
promoted from: General Khan from Crime Intelligence was a Colonel in the Police, was promoted from the rank of a Colonel to a Major General
promoted to: promoted from the rank of a Colonel to a Major General
≡
2020
Carnilinx entered into a settlement agreement with SARS to resolve past customs, excise, and tax non-compliance, accepting both criminal and civil liability.
dated: The settlement agreement that was concluded between Carnilinx and SARS was only concluded in 2020
stated purpose: it is hoped that this process will culminate in the company accepting criminal liability in a criminal court together with civil liability in respect of legislation administered by SARS
↓
2021
SAPS raided Protobac’s bond store, seizing 152×200 kg boxes of raw tobacco and 1,127×200 kg of cut rag valued at approximately R120 million, based on intelligence likely facilitated by General Khan.
activity: where he would conduct raids on the competitors of Carnilinx in the illegal tobacco industry
goods seized: 152 x 200kg boxes of raw tobacco
order between these two not established
R
12 February 2021
General Khan asked Mr Sayed to arrange a special price on a V8 M3 vehicle and to urgently send samples and prices.
request: Send me samples and prices, please, ASAP. I am going to see someone tomorrow night who is the possible guy to make it happen.
request: Do not forget my birthday present …
↓
10 May 2021
Several devices belonging to General Khan were seized, presumably as part of an investigation.
devices seized: there are several devices that were seized from General Khan on the 10 th of May
engagement occurred: nor he to my home
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29 May 2021
General Khan sent Mr Sayed an image of his spare‑parts business, Magic Moto Spares, confirming his private business interest.
action taken: General Khan sends a picture of Magic Moto Spares, another one of his shops
action taken: another image of his store, Magic Moto Spares
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14 June 2021
General Khan forwarded details of IPID tender bid number 02/2021/22, a letter to the Minister of Police, and a media statement to Mr Sayed.
sent: Mr Sayed sends General Khan a message
sent: Mr Sayed sends General Khan details of an IPID tender, bid number 02/2021/22 with a closing date of 2nd July 2021
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26 July 2021
In WhatsApp messages, Mr Sayed and General Khan negotiated fee split terms (one-third each) for a draft MOU between Smada and Cyberia, relating to a R280 million National Treasury contract.
stated intention: We have to conclude, as Pilot can easily resolve. Then we are good if he signs.
stated expectation: So we get 92.4 odd? 280. 30%.
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4 August 2021
General Khan sent Mr Sayed a copy of the Treasury letter recommending the appointment of Kaizer.
sent: General Khan sends Mr Vally a copy of the Treasury letter recommending the appointment of Kaizen MSD
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2022
Khan was part of the eventual seizure of Protobac's bond store, indicating his involvement in enforcement actions against competitors.
involvement: General Khan was a part of that eventual seizure
order between these two not established
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2022
Khan was involved in the Lushaba matter, with lost items reported to him, and he was alerted to his interaction with Lushaba following a housebreaking incident.
shed light on: about the Lushaba matter
shed light on: it has something to do with the reporting
order between these two not established
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2022
Khan provided a statement in the Mokwele/Khumalo letter and was mentioned in the docket, indicating his role in internal SAPS communications.
mentioned in: In brackets you have Khan
provided statement in: I know he provided a statement in the Mokwele/Khumalo letter
order between these two not established
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2022
Khan placed the initial advertisement for a position, though he claimed no knowledge of a related letter.
placed: the initial advertisement, which was placed by General Khan
knowledge: General Khan even said, well, I do not know anything about this letter
order between these two not established
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2022
Khan was on leave or suspension, consulted with the team before serving summonses, and identified Els and Hlongwane as possible witnesses in the Project Diversion investigations.
employment status: because he was on leave
consulted with: so that he can consult with the team.
order between these two not established
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2022
Khan told that General Khumalo did not have top-secret clearance and was instructed to follow up on the vetting process.
told: General Khan told them that General Khumalo did not have top-secret clearance
instructed to: he, General Khan, should follow up on the vetting process of General Khumalo
order between these two not established
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2022
Khan becomes important to Project Diversion investigations, though he had issues with SAPS management and was only speaking about his own issues.
stated view: Mr Perumal stated that Khan becomes very important to the Project Diversion investigations
employment status: there was a lot of talk about him being on sick leave or suspension
order between these two not established
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2022
Khan had influence on how certain matters progressed, particularly regarding the serving of summonses on NasCom.
said: Mr Khan said that they have to be served on the NasCom, being General Masemola
influence: I do believe that he had influence on these matters and how they progressed
order between these two not established
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August 2022
Khan requested a favour from Sayed regarding suspicions that he is being investigated by the Hawks, indicating his concern about internal plotting.
action taken: an affidavit was taken for that matter
intention: he wants to know who is plotting against him
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15 June 2025
Mr Sayed forwarded a request from Mr Malema to General Khan asking for the complaint details (case number Sandton 79/07/2019) about VBS Bank fraud.
action taken: a series of attempts and forwarded messages saying there is this opportunity here, there is that opportunity there
action taken: Mr Sayed sends General Khan a picture of a 911 Turbo Porsche
◎
21 June 2025
General Khan met with Mr Sayed and Mr Malema at a location to discuss parliamentary questions and the Sandton case information.
met: General Khan, Mr Sayed and Mr Malema were going to meet
met: General Khan, Mr Sayed and Mr Malema were going to meet