JOHANNESBURG — Gunmen opened fire on the vehicle of Major General Feroz Khan, the suspended deputy head of crime intelligence for the South African police, in Johannesburg on Sunday evening. Khan was wounded in the shooting while traveling home and was hospitalized, undergoing emergency surgery.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting. Khan was scheduled to appear before the Madlanga Commission days after the incident. The commission was established to investigate alleged corruption and criminal networks within the South African police service.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated, "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]." Khan's name had surfaced during previous proceedings before the commission. He was expected to face questions regarding a failed drug operation in Johannesburg in 2021.

Khan was arrested in May alongside a fellow senior police officer and a businessman. The arrest involved a case of alleged unlawful trade and possession of gold, which relates to an incident at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport in 2021. During that incident, authorities found a businessman carrying nearly 76 grams of unrefined gold. Investigators stated the businessman claimed he was working undercover on behalf of senior members of the police service.

Prior to the shooting, Khan sought to prevent investigators from examining electronic devices confiscated during his arrest earlier this month, but the request was unsuccessful. He also requested that his testimony before the commission be heard in private before withdrawing that application. In December, a witness connected to the commission was killed in front of relatives weeks after appearing before investigators.

Local media reported allegations concerning Khan's relationship with opposition leader Julius Malema and political figure Brown Mogotsi. Khan has not publicly responded to the allegations against him or to the shooting.