By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya has denied receiving kickbacks from attempted murder accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe.
Sibiya has been testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridget Mabandla college in Tshwane.
He faces allegations of disbandment the KZN political killings task team (PKTT) and also of accepting bribes from the alleged criminal and tender masterminds Matlala and Molefe.
The bribes include impalas, cash and a mysterious bag picked up by his associate. Sibiya has denied receipt of anything and distanced himself from Matlala and Molefe, now both in jail while facing charges.
Sibiya spent Day One of his evidence denying all the allegations against him. On Day Two, once cross-examination began.
Evidence leader, advocate Adila Hassim, went through documents, raising contradictions and questioning his narrative. That narrative is to distance himself from the disbandment of the task team.
He told the inquiry that the task team placed a significant financial burden on the South African Police Service (SAPS), arguing that its mandate duplicated the work of existing units, including the Murder and Robbery Unit.
Sibiya said while all murders are serious, the PKTT handled very few cases compared with the TGVTT, which he claimed received new matters almost daily.
Sibiya maintained that discussions around the eventual disbandment of the task team were held at executive level, involving then Police minister Senzo Mchunu and National Police commissioner, Fannie Masemola.
He denied being the driving force behind the decision, insisting that the process was initiated by the minister and supported by the national commissioner.
The suspended deputy national commissioner also accused Masemola of nepotism, alleging preferential treatment of close associates within the SAPS – something he said undermines accountability and institutional integrity.
Sibiya challenged the testimony by Crime Intelligence boss, Dumisani Khumalo, accusing him or presenting misleading and unverified evidence before the commission.
Khumalo had earlier shown CCTV footage depicting Witness F driving a white BMW assigned to Sibiya, visiting the home of Molefe, and leaving with a white paper bag.
Sibiya countered that the BMW was only assigned to his office on 4 August 2024 and produced vehicle assignment records to support his claim.
He further stated that on the date the footage was recorded, he was in Cape Town on official SAPS business, attending a parliamentary portfolio committee meeting.
Sibiya told the commission that Khumalo’s version does not withstand scrutiny when measured against official records, urging commissioners to treat the Crime Intelligence boss’ claims with caution.
While conceding that he has a close association with Witness F, Sibiya denied any collusion or corrupt conduct, insisting he has never acted in a manner that would bring SAPS into disrepute.
Sibiya also told the commission he had lodged a case with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) against Lt-Gen Hilda Senthumule for submitting fake claims on his behalf.
“When I came [back] to the police, she rejected protection [for me]. I have paperwork with her signature and her stuff officer claiming overtime for my protectors, people I have never seen; their names are there; I know them; I have seen them; I have never met them,” said Sibiya.
“She was claiming overtime for me, for the protectors that I have not met; I reported the matter to Ipid. The paperwork is here and I wish it could be shown,” he added.
Sibiya also revealed that Matlala had paid for Senthumule’s Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
“She [Senthumule] reported to me she could not sit; she was lying in the car because she had to spend three months without sitting,” said Sibiya.
Sibiya told the commission he believed certain evidence presented before the commission had not been factual and was meant to serve a certain narrative about him.