Fired crime intelligence deputy head Maj-Gen Feroz Khan will challenge his dismissal, arguing that it resulted from a procedural default.“He was never found guilty on the merits of the allegations. He is still innocent until proven guilty. It has to be a fair process. He must confront his accusers [in a court of law],” Khan’s attorney, Muhammed Vally, told Business Day on Thursday. Khan was dismissed after he lost an urgent labour court application this week to stop the police from taking disciplinary steps against him in his absence for allegedly bringing the police into disrepute. “Maj-Gen Khan was deemed dismissed in terms of regulation 9(7)(b) of the SAPS discipline regulations, following his failure to appear before the designated senior officer responsible for dealing with the expeditious disciplinary process,” national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said in a media statement issued on Wednesday night. “SAPS reiterates its commitment to accountability, discipline and professional conduct within the organisation. No member, regardless of rank or position, is above the law or the applicable disciplinary framework,” Mathe said. “As the matter has been the subject of legal proceedings, SAPS will continue to respect and abide by the decisions of the courts and provide further information where legally permissible,” he said.Vally said: “He [Khan] could not attend [the disciplinary process] so they are punishing him. We will take the matter further.” Khan’s urgent application was heard in the labour court on August 25-26, with judge Connie Prinsloo this week striking the application off the roll “for lack of jurisdiction, alternatively for lack of urgency”. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), which represented Khan, was ordered to pay the costs. Popcru is an affiliate of labour federation Cosatu and represents about 160,000 police, prison, and traffic officers countrywide. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo has been approached for comment, which will be added once received. Khan was arrested in May with Gauteng Hawks head Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa and Durban businessman Tariq Downes. The trio faces charges including defeating or obstructing the course of justice and contraventions of the Precious Metals Act. They were released on R20,000 bail by the Kempton Park magistrate’s court after making their first appearance in June. The trio is accused of unlawfully acquiring and possessing precious metals without the required licence. Khan is a central figure in the Madlanga commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption and criminality in the police. Evidence presented thus far, including information obtained from forensic examination of electronic devices seized from Khan, has placed him at the centre of allegations involving corruption, illicit networks and the manipulation of SAPS procurement processes. He is accused of leaking confidential police information and assisting associates in securing lucrative SAPS procurement contracts. Khan was the target of an alleged assassination shortly before he was due to appear before the commission. He was hospitalised after allegedly being ambushed by gunmen in Houghton. Khan was discharged in mid-July and has since been recuperating at an undisclosed location. Additional reporting by Mduduzi NonyaneUpdate: September 3 2026This article has been updated to reflect that Feroz Khan’s legal representatives will challenge his dismissal from the police.Business Day