In a plot twist that would be too on-the-nose for a crime drama, one of South Africa's most senior police officers has survived an assassination attempt just days before he was due to testify at a public inquiry into police corruption.

Suspended deputy crime intelligence boss Maj-Gen Feroz Khan was shot Sunday evening while driving home in Johannesburg, according to police. He was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.

The timing is suspicious enough to make anyone raise an eyebrow, but police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe warned against jumping to conclusions: "It is premature and irresponsible to speculate on any possible motive or to conclude that the incident is linked to his anticipated appearance before the [inquiry]."

Khan was scheduled to appear before the Madlanga commission, which was established after senior officer Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged last July that organized crime had infiltrated the government. Khan's name had come up multiple times, including in connection with a botched 2021 drug bust. Local outlet Daily Maverick reports he was expected to be questioned about his alleged ties to firebrand politician Julius Malema and political fixer Brown Mogotsi.

Adding to the intrigue, Khan was arrested in May alongside two others for alleged illegal gold dealing. The case stems from a 2021 incident where a businessman was caught with 75.9 grams of unwrought gold at Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport. The businessman claimed he was an undercover agent for senior police officers, but prosecutors later found "no authorised undercover operation involving precious metals existed at the time." Khan, who has denied the allegations, was released on bail.

For now, Khan remains in hospital, and the inquiry will have to wait for his testimony - assuming he survives to give it.