The Latin legal term “prima facie” translates as “on the face of it”. And, on the face of it, thousands of chats downloaded from Crime Intelligence Deputy Head Feroz Khan’s seized electronic devices appear damning, the landmark Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard.

Khan (57) remains unconscious in Milpark Hospital after undergoing surgery for wounds sustained during an apparent assassination attempt on 28 June before he was due to appear before the commission as a key witness.

However, a surgical dissection by evidence leaders of communications on these devices has now revealed an alleged sprawling empire of luxury properties around the country and at least 30 high-end sports cars parked snugly in garages.