Crime Intelligence boss Major General Feroz Khan suffered serious internal injuries after he was shot in Houghton last week, according to a medical report obtained by The Citizen.
The report states that Khan arrived at Milpark Hospital shortly after midnight on 29 June with a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. The bullet reportedly passed through his abdominal cavity and remained lodged near his spine.
Doctors found about 1.8 litres of blood inside his abdomen, four perforations to the small intestine, active bleeding from blood vessels supplying the colon and damage near the spine. The report also recorded a fractured L3 vertebra and a bullet fragment close to nerve roots around the L3 and L4 vertebrae.
Doctors Reject Staged Shooting Claims
The injuries come after social media claims questioned whether Khan had really been shot or whether the attack was staged to avoid his appearance before the Madlanga commission.
An independent doctor who reviewed the medical report dismissed those claims. The doctor said it was “extremely unlikely” that someone would willingly suffer such an injury for personal gain.
The doctor added that a gunshot wound through the abdomen carries major risks, including permanent disability, bowel damage, kidney damage, spinal nerve damage and death.
Emergency Operations Performed
According to the report, Khan’s blood pressure had dropped and his body temperature had fallen when he entered theatre. Doctors described this as haemorrhagic shock.
Surgeons performed an emergency laparotomy shortly after 2am to stop the bleeding and repair bowel injuries. Khan later returned to theatre for a second operation after his condition stabilised.
The report also states that surgeons had to ligate the left lumbar artery to control bleeding.
Khan Remains in ICU
The biggest long-term concern is the bullet fragment near the nerves that supply the lower limbs.
The independent doctor said permanent neurological problems could not be ruled out. This could include weakness, loss of function or even paraplegia, depending on the extent of the injury.
Khan remains in intensive care. He is receiving pain medication and antibiotics. Although he has been extubated, he still needs respiratory support.
His condition has been described as critical but stable.
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