JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – Deputy Crime Intelligence Head Feroz Khan remains in critical condition after being shot twice in the abdomen near his Houghton residence, a targeted attack that occurred just days before his highly anticipated testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The senior police official was rushed to Mil Park Hospital in Johannesburg, where he underwent emergency procedures and is currently sedated. Doctors indicate his condition remains critical, and he may require further surgical procedures once stabilized.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community, particularly given Khan’s impending appearance before the commission. According to his legal team, Khan was heavily implicated in several high-profile investigations, including allegations linking him to organized crime figures, the illicit tobacco trade, and interference in criminal investigations. However, his attorneys maintain that he was fully cooperating with the commission and intended to expose alleged misconduct by senior members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Muhammad Vali, one of Khan’s lead lawyers who worked alongside colleague Mr. Guo to prepare the affidavit, confirmed that the legal team had met with the Major General just hours before the incident. Vali noted that the team was working around the clock after receiving a massive disclosure from the commission—described as a “tsunami of paper” comprising over 11,000 pages, an additional 8,000 pages of documentation, and 37,000 lines of WhatsApp messages—over the weekend. First responders at the scene reported that Khan’s electronic devices and laptop were taken during the attack.
Advocate Zubai Khan, an advocate representing the family, released a strongly worded statement expressing grave concern over the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Advocate Zubai Khan alleged that there are suspicions regarding the involvement of SAPS members in the assassination attempt, citing a recent incident where police entered Khan’s home on a Sunday morning without a warrant. The officers reportedly claimed to be searching for drugs but confiscated electronic devices containing confidential state information.
“General Khan intended to fully lay bare the involvement of senior members of the South African Police Service in certain offenses and criminal activity,” Advocate Zubai Khan stated. He added that the general had been targeted by individuals intent on tarnishing his reputation, lamenting that “the prophecy that blood will spill on the roads has now come true.”
The legal team also highlighted that Khan had recently expressed concerns about his personal safety, opting to travel in unmarked vehicles to avoid detection. Advocate Zubai Khan questioned why a high-ranking official of his stature was not provided with formal state protection, especially given the sensitive nature of his impending testimony.
Addressing the public, Acting National Police Commissioner Penang Dean confirmed that maximum resources are being redeployed to investigate the incident, including the deployment of the political killings task team. The Commissioner urged the public to refrain from speculation regarding the timing of the attack and to allow the investigation to take its course. Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission has released a statement wishing the General well and has dispatched representatives to the hospital to verify his medical condition.
A close family member of Khan, identified as his former father-in-law, spoke briefly outside the emergency room, describing the family’s shock and appealing for privacy during this difficult time.
In the wake of the shooting, Advocate Zubai Khan firmly dismissed various rumors circulating on social media. The advocate categorically denied claims that the shooting was staged, that Khan had previously shot himself in the foot, or that he had been suspended by the SAPS or abandoned his legal applications regarding the confidentiality of his devices. When pressed about media reports claiming a handwritten note was found at the scene, the legal team stated they could not confirm the detail at this time.
As Major General Feroz Khan continues to fight for his life under high security at the Netcare facility, his legal team awaits further guidance from the Madlanga Commission on how to proceed with his scheduled testimony. The attorneys maintain their commitment to presenting his evidence, potentially in camera, to ensure his safety and the integrity of the information he holds.
