By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The suspended head of Organised Crime, Major General Richard Shibiri has become the first senior police officer to be fired following evidence of his links to underworld kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
Before he was suspended in February 2025, Shibiri oversaw transnational, narcotics, anti-gang, extortion, economic infrastructure and illegal mining investigations.
He now faced damning allegations of succumbing to the same organised crime syndicates he said have infiltrated the police.
Despite raising red flags about organised crime infiltration, the cross-examination of Shibiri on Wednesday and Thursday, 11 and 12 March,2026 at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry casted aspersions on his credibility as head of organised crime and suggested he maintained an unprofessional relationship with Matlala.
Shibiri’s dismissal was recommended by a disciplinary hearing for bringing the South African Police Service (Saps) into disrepute for his links with Matlala.
Shibiri received his dismissal letter on 22 May 2026. He is expected to challenge this decision at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the dismissal of Shibiri, following the conclusion of internal disciplinary processes.
“The disciplinary proceedings were conducted in accordance with applicable Saps prescripts and principles of procedural fairness. Major General Shibiri was found guilty of misconduct relating to conduct that brought the organisation into disrepute, including associating himself with a known criminal.”
For decades, South Africans have endured the devastating effects of police corruption, criminal infiltration, and the abuse of state resources.
Mathe has also confirmed the suspension of nine police officers who served as members of the bid evaluation committee in Medicare24 tender process suspended, a company linked to Matlala.
Their suspension follows their role in helping secure a controversial R360m contract for Medicare24, a company linked to Matlala.
Mathe said the officers all served on the bid evaluation committee and are accused of unlawfully awarding the contract to Matlala’s company.
“The affected members have been placed on suspension pending the finalisation of disciplinary and related investigations,” Mathe added.
“Police remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in all its operations.
Revelations emerging from both the Ad Hoc Committee process and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry have painted a deeply concerning picture of the extent to which organised criminal interests have penetrated institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law.