Feroz Khan Survives Assassination Attempt in South Africa

South Africa’s Maj-Gen Feroz Khan survives an assassination attempt just before a crucial inquiry on police crime and corruption.

In a shocking incident in Johannesburg, one of South Africa’s highest-ranking police officials, Maj-Gen Feroz Khan, narrowly escaped death after being shot while driving home on Sunday evening. The severely injured officer was rushed to a hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, according to local media reports.

This brazen attack occurred just days before Khan was scheduled to testify at a public inquiry focused on criminal activities within the South African police force. His prior involvement in a high-profile corruption case adds even more weight to this alarming situation.

Khan, the suspended deputy head of crime intelligence, was arrested in May along with two others for their alleged roles in illegal gold dealings. The details surrounding his case have been murky, and he has yet to issue a statement regarding the shooting.

Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service, addressed the incident in a statement released Monday, urging against speculation about possible motives or links between the shooting and Khan’s upcoming testimony.

Mathe emphasized, “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 inquiry.”

The inquiry, known as the Madlanga commission, was initiated following allegations from Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last July that organized crime has infiltrated government ranks.

Khan’s name has appeared multiple times in connection with previous criminal activities, including a failed drug operation in Johannesburg back in 2021. Recent reports from local media site Daily Maverick suggested he would face questioning regarding his supposed ties to influential political figures such as Julius Malema and political consultant Brown Mogotsi.

Adding to the tension surrounding the inquiry, Khan had recently sought intervention from the Johannesburg high court to prevent the inquiry from examining electronic devices seized from him at the time of his arrest. Though he initially sought for his testimony to be heard privately, he later withdrew both requests.

This incident marks the second attack on an inquiry witness linked to the Madlanga commission. In December, a witness was tragically killed shortly after providing testimony, showcasing the dangerous implications surrounding the investigation.

In addition to Khan, a senior police officer and a businessman were arrested last month for their alleged involvement in trafficking and possessing precious metals unlawfully. The case is not without controversy; it traces back to an incident at OR Tambo International Airport in 2021, where a businessman was discovered with nearly 76 grams of unwrought gold.

When questioned, this businessman claimed to be acting as an undercover operative for senior police officers. However, investigators later concluded that no authorized undercover operation existed at the time of the gold transaction, raising further questions about the role of Khan and his colleagues.

The public continues to await clarity on the circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt and the ongoing inquiry, as both events unfold amid rising concerns over corruption within the police force.