Senior Officer Shot Days Before Public Inquiry
A senior South African police official survived an apparent assassination attempt after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in Johannesburg on Sunday evening. The incident happened only days before he was scheduled to testify before a high profile commission investigating corruption and criminal activity within the country’s police service.
Major General Feroz Khan, the suspended deputy head of crime intelligence, suffered gunshot wounds while driving home. Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital, where doctors performed surgery. Officials have not released details about his current condition.
Police have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the shooting. Authorities have not announced any arrests.
Police Urge Public Not to Speculate
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions about the motive behind the attack.
She explained that investigators are examining all possible leads. According to police, it is too early to connect the shooting with Khan’s planned testimony before the corruption inquiry.
Officials say detectives will continue gathering evidence before making any conclusions.
Inquiry Examines Alleged Police Corruption
The public inquiry, known as the Madlanga Commission, was established after serious allegations claimed that organized crime networks had infiltrated parts of South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
The commission continues to hear testimony from senior officials and other witnesses as it investigates claims of corruption, abuse of power, and criminal influence within the police service.
Khan was expected to appear before the commission because his name surfaced several times during previous hearings. His expected testimony attracted significant public attention.
Gold Dealing Charges Remain Before the Courts
In May, authorities arrested Khan, another senior police officer, and a businessman over allegations involving illegal gold dealing and the unlawful possession of precious metals.
The investigation began after officials found nearly 76 grams of unwrought gold in the businessman’s possession at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport during a 2021 incident.
Prosecutors say the businessman claimed he worked as an undercover agent for senior police officers. However, investigators later concluded that no authorized undercover operation involving precious metals existed at that time.
Authorities also allege that Khan and another officer instructed police to release the businessman despite the circumstances surrounding the case.
Khan has not publicly responded to the allegations. A court later granted him bail while legal proceedings continue.
Legal Challenge Before Scheduled Testimony
Earlier this month, Khan asked the Johannesburg High Court to stop investigators from accessing electronic devices seized during his arrest.
He also requested permission to give evidence in private rather than during public hearings. However, he later withdrew both requests before the commission.
Second Attack Linked to Inquiry Witnesses
The latest shooting has raised fresh security concerns around witnesses connected to the corruption inquiry.
Last December, another witness associated with the commission was shot and killed in front of family members only weeks after providing testimony.
Although investigators have not linked the two incidents, both attacks have increased public concern about the safety of people involved in the inquiry.
Investigation Continues
Police continue searching for those behind the shooting while investigators examine all possible motives. Officials have stressed that no evidence currently proves a connection between the assassination attempt and Khan’s expected appearance before the commission.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say they will provide updates as new information becomes available.
