Feroz Khan’s testimony delayed after family member killed in R21 shooting

Feroz Khan

Pretoria – The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has postponed the testimony of former Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan after his uncle-in-law, Preggy Padayachee, was shot dead on the R21 in Gauteng.

Khan appeared before the commission remotely and in camera on Tuesday morning but was unable to proceed with his evidence following the fatal shooting.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said Khan was not in a position to testify.

“Due to the death of a family member resulting from a shooting incident on the R21 in Gauteng last (Monday) night, Mr Khan is not in a position to testify today,” Michaels said, according to The Citizen. 

“The commission has therefore postponed the testimony of Mr Khan to a date which has yet to be determined. The commission will make further announcements in this regard,” he added.

EWN reported that Padayachee was killed in an attack on the R21 near Kempton Park on Monday night.

A separate EWN report said Padayachee was travelling in a Fiat when the vehicle broke down at about 8pm. A friend and two others arrived to assist before they came under gunfire.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevuhulwi said: “The driver attempted to evade the gunfire but lost control of the vehicle, which collided with a jersey barrier.”

Padayachee died at the scene, while another passenger sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital. Police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder.

SABC News also reported that police are investigating the fatal shooting of an alleged associate of Khan on the R21.

The killing comes against the backdrop of Khan’s own shooting earlier this year. Padayachee had spoken publicly on behalf of Khan’s family following that attack, telling EWN that those responsible “must pay”.

Khan’s appearance before the commission has already been delayed several times. He was originally expected to testify in July but was shot outside his Houghton home on 28 June. His subsequent failure to appear before the commission on 28 September led Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to order that criminal charges be laid against him for failing to comply with a subpoena.

Khan is facing allegations relating to corruption, interference in the criminal justice system and links to various businessmen and figures whose activities have come under scrutiny before the commission.

His latest testimony was expected to be heard privately because some of the evidence concerns sensitive and ongoing criminal investigations.

The commission has not yet announced a new date for Khan’s testimony.

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