Gayton McKenzie pays tribute to racing driver Robert Wolk after Kempton Park shooting

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has paid tribute to South African racing driver Robert Wolk, who was shot and killed in an alleged road-rage incident in Kempton Park, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.

In a statement issued on Saturday, McKenzie said he had learnt with shock and sadness of the death of the 41-year-old.

“Robert Wolk was a champion in every sense of the word: a driver who competed at the highest level for South Africa across multiple disciplines in motorsport,” McKenzie said. “That his life was cut short in an act of senseless violence, on our roads, is a tragedy that should trouble every South African. Our sportspeople should be able to travel our roads in safety, as should everyone else.”

Wolk’s career spanned nearly three decades. He was the SA Formula Volkswagen champion in 2013, Formula 1600 champion in 2015, back-to-back SA GTC champion in 2021 and 2022, and SA Touring Cars champion in 2024. Earlier this year he claimed his second Simola Hillclimb “King of the Hill” title.

McKenzie said Wolk had represented South Africa with distinction, earning both Junior and Senior Protea Colours for motorsport.

The minister conveyed his condolences to Wolk’s family, friends and the broader motorsport community, and expressed support for the South African Police Service investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

The statement, carried by SAnews (South African Government News Agency), does not say whether any arrest has been made or name any suspect. It gives no further detail on the police investigation beyond the minister’s expression of support.

The original statement is available at sanews.gov.za.