Preggy Padayachee, the uncle-in-law and close associate of dismissed Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan, was shot dead on the R21 in Ekurhuleni on Monday night, hours before Khan was due to give evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Padayachee was killed near Griffiths Road while travelling towards OR Tambo International Airport.
Police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder following the shooting. A passenger travelling with Padayachee was wounded, while another occupant escaped unharmed. No arrests have been reported.
According to police, preliminary information indicates that a Fiat had experienced a breakdown and the driver contacted a friend for assistance.
The friend arrived at the scene with two other people. While they were attending to the vehicle, shots were fired.
Police said the driver attempted to evade the gunfire but lost control of the vehicle and collided with a jersey barrier. He sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
One passenger suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital, while the third occupant escaped unharmed. The motive remains unknown.
Padayachee was known to be close to Khan and had previously spoken publicly on behalf of Khan’s family after Khan was shot in Houghton earlier this year.
Khan’s warning over his seized devices
The shooting also comes against the background of a legal dispute over electronic devices seized from Khan following his arrest in May.
Khan approached the High Court seeking to prevent SAPS from accessing information stored on his seized cellphones and other electronic devices. He argued that the material contained sensitive information relating to intelligence operations and investigations.
In court papers, Khan warned of the consequences if the information fell into the wrong hands, saying that “people could die” and that the material related to sensitive investigations involving vehicle smuggling, illicit drug networks, political killings, gang violence and murder cases.
The devices were subsequently accessed by the Madlanga Commission and information extracted from them has formed part of evidence presented during the inquiry.
The commission has heard evidence based on communications found on the devices, including allegations relating to police tenders and Khan’s interactions with various individuals. Khan has been expected to respond to evidence presented in his absence when he testifies.
Khan’s in-camera testimony is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 October.
Padayachee killed hours before Khan’s testimony
Padayachee’s death occurred on the eve of Khan’s scheduled appearance before the commission.
The commission has authorised Khan to give his evidence behind closed doors. The proceedings will therefore not be open to the public.
Khan’s testimony is expected to address evidence that has already been presented to the commission, including material obtained from his seized electronic devices.
The timing of Padayachee’s killing has placed renewed attention on the relationship between the deceased and Khan.
However, police have not established a connection between Padayachee’s killing and Khan’s testimony or the Madlanga Commission. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation and no arrests have been announced.
The latest incident is being investigated as a murder and attempted murder case.
