JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 18, 2026 South African racing driver Robert Wolk has been shot dead in Kempton Park following a road rage incident, with police opening a murder investigation.
Wolk, 41, was killed on Wednesday, September 16, at the intersection of Camwood Street and Portland Drive in Esther Park.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a 41 year old man was fatally shot at the scene. Officers from Sebenza police station attended the incident and found Wolk with gunshot wounds.
No arrests had been made when the initial reports were issued and police said the circumstances surrounding the shooting remained under investigation.
According to accounts of the incident, Wolk had been involved in a low speed collision with another vehicle. Reports identified the other vehicle as a blue Volkswagen Jetta.
Wolk reportedly got out of his Audi to inspect and photograph the damage before an argument developed between the two motorists.
A firearm was then produced during the confrontation and Wolk was shot as he attempted to leave the scene. He collapsed a short distance away and was declared dead by paramedics.
Video footage linked to the incident has circulated widely on social media.
The killing has sent shockwaves through South African motorsport, where Wolk had built a career spanning almost three decades.
Motorsport South Africa described him as a hugely respected figure whose career included achievements in karting, single seater racing, touring cars and other forms of circuit racing.
Wolk won the South African Junior GP Karting Championship in 1995 and 1997 before going on to claim multiple Formula Ford titles.
His later achievements included the 2013 South African Formula Volkswagen Championship, the 2015 South African Formula 1600 Championship, the 2021 and 2022 SA GTC Championships and the 2024 SA Touring Cars Championship.
He received South African Junior Protea Colours in 1998 and Senior Protea Colours in 2022.
Wolk was still competing at national level in 2026. In May, he won his second Simola Hillclimb King of the Hill title, while in June he returned to South African Touring Cars with a victory at Aldo Scribante.
He had been scheduled to compete at Killarney that weekend. Motorsport South Africa’s events calendar lists the National Extreme Festival at Killarney International Raceway for September 18 and 19.
“Robert’s passion for racing remained clear right to the end. He was still competing at the national level and was due to race at Killarney this weekend.
“His passing leaves a profound void in South African motorsport,” Motorsport South Africa said.
The organisation also described Wolk as a driver known for his passion, commitment and sportsmanship, extending its condolences to his family, friends, team members, colleagues and others across the motorsport community.
Wolk’s death comes as police in Kempton Park and the wider Ekurhuleni area are already dealing with heightened concern over a series of unrelated murders involving women.
The South African Police Service has launched investigations into those cases and senior police officials have pledged to identify and arrest those responsible.
Police are treating Wolk’s shooting as a separate murder investigation.
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