By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The suspended Organised Crime Head Richard Shibiri testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane on Wednesday, 04 March 2026.
Witness C, attached to the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), alleged that Shibiri was on crime kingpin Vusimuzi Matlala’s payroll.
The commission also heard that Shibiri initially rejected an electronic transfer and requested the money in cash. He is further accused of attempting to influence and delay the investigation into the murder of engineer Armand Swart.
Shibiri has claimed that the money he received from Matlala was a personal loan which he has since repaid.
He said he met Matlala through a late friend at a thanksgiving event and told him about not being able to afford to repair the vehicle, and that Matlala offered to help him.
“Approximately four days later Matlala phoned me to enquire if I had been able to raise the required funds; I informed [him] that I had not succeeded. Then we agreed that he would advance me with a personal loan, which he deposited directly to my son’s bank account,” he said.
Shibiri said they agreed he would settle the debt when he received his bonus in December 2024.
“I confirm that the funds were utilised solely for the vehicle repairs and were not connected in any way to my official duties or any operational matter. The loan has since been paid back in full through my earnings, proceeds derived from my livestock and savings,” he said.
Shibiri told the commission that he had submitted proof of purchase of the car parts and that he paid Matlala R20,000 in November 2024 and R50,000 in December.
He maintained that he has always acted within the operational mandate of SAPS.
Shibiri has denied that he convened a meeting with investigators looking into the murder of Swart with the purpose of distributing envelopes, suggesting payment, facilitating bribery, or encouraging corruption.
He said the meeting on the 16 May 2024 was specifically held to discuss a complaint relating to the Murray murder case.
He claimed that he was warning the officers against taking bribes.
“I expressly cautioned the investigators not to accept a bribe. I informed [them] that even if they are offered money, accepting such money would not eliminate the risk to their lives. I emphasised that the offence which they were investigating falls under the serious schedule six and bail will be formal and rigorous.”
Shibiri also addressed remarks made by KZN Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last year regarding a 2021 drug trafficking incident, which created the impression that members of the organised crime unit under his command were implicated.
He said at the time he was serving as Gauteng Deputy Commissioner.
Shibiri further warned that organised criminal syndicates have increasingly attempted to infiltrate law enforcement structures, describing it as an ongoing and evolving threat to institutional integrity.
He said such infiltration attempts have surfaced across several crimes including drug trafficking, taxi violence, gang-related crime, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.
Shibiri also acknowledged that in some cases law enforcement officials have leaked confidential operational information to criminals. He added that such interference often leads to cases being struck off the roll or withdrawn, eroding public trust in the justice system.
Meanwhile, the political fixer Brown Mogotsi, told the commission that severe diarrhea prevented him from appearing earlier on Monday.
Mogotsi had been summoned to explain his absence after previously citing medical reasons for failing to attend proceedings.
Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga expressed concern about witnesses failing to honour summonses and later providing explanations.
He also criticised the medical certificates previously submitted, saying many do not clearly outline the severity of the illness and therefore provide little assistance to the commission.
Mogotsi apologised to the commission and said he had been suffering from an upset stomach since returning from Cape Town.
Justice Madlanga said Mogotsi’s medical certificate would be referred to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to verify its authenticity.