By: Xolani Khumalo
Crime Intelligence deputy head Feroz Khan has warned that sensitive information stored on electronic devices seized during a police raid at his Houghton home could place lives at risk, potentially leading to assassinations and compromising national security operations.
Khan approached the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, arguing that the devices contain highly classified intelligence material, including information relating to undercover operatives, confidential sources and ongoing investigations. According to court papers, he maintains that unrestricted access to the data could severely undermine intelligence-gathering operations and expose state security structures.
The senior Crime Intelligence official was arrested earlier this month in connection with the alleged unlawful possession of unwrought gold. The matter forms part of an ongoing investigation involving law enforcement authorities.
In his urgent application before the court, Khan also requested that any information already downloaded or copied from the seized devices be permanently deleted, pending the outcome of legal proceedings. He further argued that the handling of the devices and their contents must comply with strict intelligence and security protocols to prevent unauthorised disclosure of classified information.
