Preggy Padayachee, the uncle of former Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan, was shot dead on the R21 on Monday night, hours before Khan was due to give evidence behind closed doors.
Padayachee was killed near Griffiths Road in Ekurhuleni on Monday, 5 October 2026. A friend who had come to help him was wounded. Police have not named the dead man in their statement.
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a police spokesperson, said detectives are investigating murder and attempted murder after a shooting on the R21 towards OR Tambo International Airport on Monday evening.
A driver in a Fiat broke down and called a friend for help, Nevhuhulwi said. The friend arrived with two other people. Shots were fired as they attended to the vehicle. The driver tried to get away, lost control and hit a jersey barrier.
The driver was declared dead at the scene, Nevhuhulwi said. One passenger was shot and taken to hospital. A third occupant escaped unharmed. The motive is unknown, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is continuing, he said.
Padayachee spoke for the family after Khan was shot in Houghton in June, days before an earlier date to testify at the Madlanga Commission. “Whoever did must pay for it,” he said at the time.
Khan is set to be questioned on Tuesday, 6 October, on evidence led in camera on 7 and 9 July. Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga ruled on Friday that the session be closed to the public and the media. Only the bench, the evidence leaders and their attorneys, and Khan’s lawyers may attend. Those present may not publish any recording.
Khan did not appear on 28 September, including by video link. Madlanga called the absence a flagrant disregard of a subpoena and directed the commission secretary to take steps toward criminal charges.
Khan has been dismissed as deputy head of Crime Intelligence after a disciplinary process and is expected to challenge the dismissal. He is out on R20,000 bail in a separate corruption-related case.
