The South African Police Service (SAPS) has assembled a high-level multidisciplinary team to investigate the attempted murder of Major General Feroz Khan, who was critically wounded in a shooting in Johannesburg on Sunday evening, just days before he was due to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Khan was shot on 3rd Avenue in Houghton on Sunday night after gunmen allegedly ambushed him while he was travelling in his vehicle. According to SAPS, preliminary investigations indicate that two unidentified suspects travelling in a white Mercedes-Benz opened fire before fleeing the scene.
Investigators recovered at least two spent bullet casings at the scene. Khan sustained gunshot wounds to his lower body and was rushed to Netcare Milpark Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
The shooting has sparked widespread speculation because it occurred only days before Khan’s scheduled appearance before the Madlanga Commission on 1 July. The commission is investigating allegations relating to corruption, drug theft and the illicit precious metals trade.
Khan had recently abandoned legal attempts aimed at preventing his testimony before the commission and seeking to stop investigators from accessing his electronic devices.
Despite the timing of the attack, SAPS has cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about a possible motive.
In a statement issued on Monday, the police service said it was aware of public speculation linking the shooting to Khan’s expected testimony, but stressed that investigators would be guided solely by evidence.
“It is premature and irresponsible to speculate on any possible motive or to conclude that the incident is linked to his anticipated appearance before the Commission. Detectives will follow evidence wherever it leads,” national SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
The investigation is being led by the Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Gauteng Crime Intelligence and the SAPS Detective Service.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has also directed that the Political Killings Task Team be incorporated into the investigation to ensure every possible lead is pursued.
The inclusion of the specialised unit signals the seriousness with which police are treating the attack, particularly given Khan’s senior rank and his involvement in an ongoing judicial process.
Police said any attempt to intimidate or attack individuals involved in judicial proceedings would be met with the full force of the law.
“The South African Police Service views any attempt to intimidate, silence or attack any individual involved in judicial processes in the most serious light and any attempt to interfere with the administration of justice or the work of the commission will be met with the full might of the law,” Mathe said.
She said Dimpane condemned the shooting and assured the public that extensive resources had been committed to identifying and arresting those responsible.
“The SAPS remains resolute in protecting the rule of law and ensuring that justice prevails,” she said.
Dimpane also wished Khan a speedy recovery and extended her thoughts to his family during what she described as a difficult period.
Mathe said investigators were working around the clock and appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
No arrests have been made, and police have not disclosed whether investigators have identified any suspects or established a possible motive.
The attempted assassination comes amid heightened public attention surrounding the Madlanga Commission, which has been hearing evidence related to alleged criminal networks, corruption, the theft of drugs and the illicit trade in precious metals.
Authorities have reiterated that the investigation remains at an early stage and have urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information that could undermine the investigation.
As detectives continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the ambush, the focus now turns to whether Khan will be medically fit to appear before the commission as scheduled on Wednesday.
For now, police insist that every available investigative resource has been mobilised to ensure those behind the brazen attack are identified, traced and brought before the courts.
