EKURHULENI, Tuesday 6 October 2026 — Preggy Padayachee, the uncle of former Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan, was shot dead on the R21 near OR Tambo International Airport on Monday evening, hours before Khan was scheduled to give evidence to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Gauteng police have opened murder and attempted murder cases following the shooting near Griffiths Road in Ekurhuleni.
Police say the motive remains unknown and no arrests have been made.
According to preliminary information provided by police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a motorist travelling in a Fiat experienced a breakdown and contacted a friend for assistance.
The friend arrived with two other people.
While they were attending to the vehicle, shots were fired at the group.
The driver attempted to escape the gunfire but lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete barrier.
The driver sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
One passenger was shot and taken to hospital for treatment, while a third occupant escaped unharmed.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the attack and attempting to identify those responsible.
Padayachee previously spoke after Khan shooting
Padayachee had previously spoken publicly on behalf of Khan’s family after Khan himself was shot near his Houghton home in June.
Following that attack, Padayachee told reporters that the family wanted those responsible brought to justice.
Khan survived the shooting.
Police established a high-level investigation involving the Gauteng Hawks, Crime Intelligence, the SAPS detective service and the Political Killings Task Team.
At the time, SAPS explicitly cautioned against speculation that Khan’s shooting was connected to his expected appearance before the Madlanga Commission.
Police said investigators would follow the available evidence and that it was premature to determine a motive.
Killing comes ahead of Khan’s Madlanga evidence
Padayachee’s killing occurred shortly before Khan’s scheduled appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday.
Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga ruled last week that portions of Khan’s evidence would be heard behind closed doors.
Only commissioners, evidence leaders and members of Khan’s legal team are permitted to attend those portions of the proceedings.
Khan’s appearance follows disputes over his previous failure to testify.
The commission previously ruled that Khan had failed to comply with a valid subpoena after he did not appear on 28 September despite being offered the opportunity to participate virtually.
Khan has faced several allegations during evidence presented to the commission concerning his conduct and relationships while serving within Crime Intelligence.
Those allegations remain disputed and the commission has not made final findings on them.
Police say motive remains unknown
The timing of Padayachee’s killing is likely to attract particular scrutiny because of Khan’s scheduled commission appearance and because Khan himself survived a shooting earlier this year.
However, police have announced no evidential connection between Monday night’s killing and either Khan, his previous shooting or the Madlanga Commission.
Investigators have also not publicly identified the shooting as politically motivated or commission-related.
Police say their investigation into the murder and attempted murder is continuing and no arrests had been announced by Tuesday morning.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including its motive and whether it has any connection to Padayachee’s relationship with Khan, therefore remain unresolved.
