By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Suspended organised crime unit head Richard Shibiri faced a bruising cross-examination at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane on Thursday.
Shibiri was suspended in February 2025, along with several police officials. He is accused of having ties with underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and is suspected to have been on his payroll.
Matlala, who faces attempted murder charges and previously received a R360-million police tender, is a central figure in the Madlanga Commission probe into alleged political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system, owing to his reported links to senior police officials, including sidelined police minister Senzo Mchunu.
Shibiri was again forced to explain more about the R70,000 loan he claimed Matlala lent him to repair his son’s vehicle.
According to evidence before commission, bank records show that between October and November 2024, Shibiri made two substantial payments in Sandton after receiving R70,000 from Matlala.
The evidence showed he bought Gucci sneakers worth R19,500 in Sandton. Six days later, he bought Louis Vuitton sandals for R17,000.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said there was no need for Shibiri to take a loan from Matlala to fix his son’s car. The commission chair argued that Shibiri had sufficient funds in his bank account.
He had a balance of R50 000 and an overdraft limit of R44 000.
“That basically means you had far more than you required to finance the repairs to your son’s car. That is, if you add what was in your own account in credit and also the overdraft facility you had with the bank,” said Madlanga.
“My understanding here is that the balance is inclusive of the overdraft,” responded Shibiri.
Shibiri lost his patience with the commission chair, arguing that taking a loan from Matlala simplified issues for him. He said he needed to use the money in his account for other things.
“I had planned to build a wall back home and also at my house, and we were renovating my dad’s tombstone in March.”
Shibiri was confronted with that May 2025 recording on Thursday, which was made after Matlala was arrested for the attempted murder of his ex-girlfriend, Tebogo Thobejane, the tenderpreneur told investigators that he had paid money to a business account linked to Shibiri.
Matlala was recorded telling police that the cash was for thanksgiving celebration alcohol, further complicating Shibiri’s explanation.
This means Shibiri lied under oath — an act that amounts to perjury, a criminal offence that can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Shibiri also conceded that borrowing from someone under criminal allegations was the only part he regretted, but insisted he still stands by his choice.
“The only thing I take home is that I borrowed money from a seriously implicated person. But I am not sorry for my decision,” he told the commission.
Minutes before proceedings ended, Shibiri sought to block the commission from playing a recording of a telephone conversation between himself and Witness A, citing safety reasons.
However, the recording was later played.
In the audio, Shibiri tells Witness A that he had been invited to a farm to celebrate [suspended deputy national commissioner for crime detection] Shadrack Sibiya’s birthday and that Sibiya was going to ask him about the arrest of Katiso “KT” Molefe.
Shibiri tells Witness A that Sibiya is close to the late taxi boss, Jothan Msibi, EFF president Julius Malema and Sandton businessman Ze Nxumalo.
He further said he knows Sibiya wanted information on Molefe’s arrest for “the other side” and not national commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
Meanwhile the murder case against Molefe was postponed to October for trial.
Molefe and his three co-accused appeared before the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday for a pre-trial hearing, where they face 35 charges.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said Molefe’s bail was extended until the start of the trial.
“Molefe’s bail was extended on the same conditions, while his co-accused remain in custody. The National Prosecuting Authority remains prepared to proceed with the trial and is committed to ensuring that justice is served.”