Senior South African Police Officer Shot Before Corruption Inquiry Appearance

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 Johannesburg: A senior South African police officer has been shot and wounded just days before he was due to testify before a judicial inquiry investigating corruption within the country's criminal justice system.

Major General Feroz Khan, the suspended national deputy head of crime intelligence, was shot on Sunday night in an affluent suburb of Johannesburg. Police have opened an attempted murder investigation, while Khan is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery.

Authorities said it was too early to link the shooting to Khan's scheduled appearance before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, urging against speculation over the motive.

Khan was suspended in May after being arrested over alleged illegal dealings in precious metals. He also faces allegations of links to organised crime, the illicit tobacco trade and drug thefts.

The investigation into the shooting is being led by the Hawks, South Africa's elite crime-fighting unit, along with the Political Killings Task Team.

The Madlanga Commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year to investigate allegations of corruption and political interference within the police force after a provincial police chief accused senior officials of obstructing investigations into politically motivated killings.

The inquiry has since heard allegations involving several high-ranking police and government officials, further raising concerns about corruption within South Africa's criminal justice system. The country's police minister, national police chief and deputy police chief have all appeared before the commission and have since been suspended or placed on leave pending investigations.

The commission has also faced security concerns. In December, one of its key witnesses was assassinated.