Suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Accuses Top Brass of Misleading Inquiry with “False Information”
JOHANNESBURG—The ongoing judicial commission investigating corruption within South Africa’s police force has taken a dramatic turn as suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has formally demanded the right to cross-examine his own superiors, whom he accuses of presenting “false” and “misleading” testimony to the inquiry.
A Clash of Titans Within Police Leadership
In a bold legal maneuver that pits top law enforcement officials against each other, Sibiya has submitted an affidavit to the Madlanga Commission seeking permission to question National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and KwaZulu-Natal police head Major General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The suspended deputy commissioner alleges both men have provided “implausible” evidence that threatens to unfairly tarnish his reputation and undermine the commission’s work.
“The evidence given by Gen Masemola created a misleading impression of events, of my role within the criminal justice system and my association with the various role players under investigation,” Sibiya stated in his October 10 affidavit, seen by this publication. “I am compelled to correct this in the interests of fairness and the integrity of the commission’s work.”
Allegations of Cash Payments and Suspicious Relationships
The request comes amid escalating allegations against Sibiya during this week’s hearings. A witness identified only as Witness C—a member of the Political Killings Task Team testifying anonymously—claimed that alleged cartel kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had confessed to making repeated cash payments of approximately R500,000 to Sibiya.
According to the testimony, Matlala also allegedly contributed R300,000 toward Sibiya’s son’s wedding and paid R2 million toward the purchase of land intended for development into a bed-and-breakfast establishment—money he claimed to have handed over to Sibiya personally.
Both Masemola and Mkhwanazi previously testified that Sibiya maintained close ties with Matlala, who faces attempted murder charges and was allegedly involved in a controversial police healthcare contract. In September testimony, Masemola went so far as to implicate Sibiya in “criminality, political interference and corruption,” specifically alleging a close friendship with the suspected cartel leader.
Sibiya’s Forceful Denials and Counterarguments
Sibiya has mounted a vigorous defense against these allegations, insisting he only met Matlala on a single professional occasion in January 2024, while serving as acting national commissioner. According to his affidavit, Matlala visited his office with an attorney to complain about being denied access to a building related to a tender he had been awarded.
“I vehemently deny that I am, or have ever been, a close friend of Matlala,” Sibiya declared. “No credible evidence has been produced to establish that I am friends with Matlala.”
The suspended commissioner portrays himself as merely performing his duties by relaying Matlala’s concerns to Masemola, who allegedly responded: “Public works is not going to tell SAPS how to utilise the building.”
Questioning the Evidence: WhatsApp Messages and Authenticity Concerns
Sibiya also seeks to challenge Mkhwanazi’s testimony regarding WhatsApp messages between Matlala and controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi, which Mkhwanazi claimed confirmed a relationship between Sibiya and the alleged cartel figure.
“I am unable to confirm the authenticity, accuracy or context of these purported WhatsApp communications and cannot speak to their legitimacy, completeness or reliability,” Sibiya states in his affidavit. “Any attempt to rely on these alleged messages as evidence against me is therefore misleading and unfair, as it attributes to me statements and discussions in which I played no part whatsoever.”
Disbandment of Political Killings Task Team: Contradictory Accounts
Perhaps the most serious allegations concern the handling of 121 dockets from the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team (PKTT) and the team’s subsequent disbandment. Sibiya describes Masemola’s claim that he was “surprised” by the transfer of these dockets as a “self-serving attempt to distance himself from decisions he previously endorsed.”
According to Sibiya’s account, Masemola was present at multiple meetings where the disbandment implementation plan for the PKTT was discussed and even instructed Sibiya to sign the plan himself, deeming it “operational in nature.”
“It is untrue that, at any material time, Gen Masemola requested me to defer to him or to leave the matter of the disbandment implementation plan for his attention,” Sibiya states, directly contradicting his superior’s testimony.
Afterthoughts or Genuine Concerns?
Sibiya further challenges Masemola’s recent characterization of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s conduct regarding the disbandment as “very concerning,” calling this a “clear afterthought” inconsistent with Masemola’s behavior during the actual meetings.
“I attended the meetings that Gen Masemola attended and observed him lend his support to the actions taken regarding the disbandment of the PKTT,” Sibiya recalls. “At no stage did he raise or express any concern to the minister. His present suggestion that he was troubled by the minister’s conduct appears to be a self-serving attempt to distance himself from decisions he previously endorsed.”
The Broader Implications for Police Integrity
The escalating conflict between top police officials raises fundamental questions about leadership, accountability, and truthfulness within South Africa’s law enforcement hierarchy. With senior officers publicly contradicting each other under oath, the commission faces the challenging task of determining whose account reflects reality.
Sibiya expresses grave concern about the potential consequences of being denied the opportunity to challenge his superiors’ testimony. “I respectfully submit that I will suffer serious and irreparable prejudice if I am denied the opportunity to cross-examine Gen Masemola,” he warns. “My professional and public reputation will be unjustly damaged.”
The commission has acknowledged receipt of Sibiya’s application but has yet to rule on whether he will be permitted to cross-examine Masemola and Mkhwanazi. This decision could significantly impact the direction and outcome of the inquiry, potentially revealing deeper divisions within police leadership.
Pattern of Allegations and the Search for Truth
This week’s testimony from Witness C added another layer to the allegations against Sibiya, claiming that Matlala confided about giving Sibiya various gifts—including 20 impalas and millions in cash—in exchange for influence and favors within the police service. The witness further alleged that Matlala paid R500,000 to fund Police Minister Mchunu’s bid for the ANC presidency.
As the commission continues its work, South Africans are left to wonder: Are these allegations evidence of systemic corruption within police leadership, or are they strategic accusations in a high-stakes power struggle? The truth likely lies somewhere in between, but the commission’s ability to uncover it will depend on its willingness to permit direct confrontation between the conflicting parties.
The coming days will prove crucial as the Madlanga Commission deliberates on Sibiya’s request. Whatever its decision, the very public dispute between these senior law enforcement officials has already exposed concerning fractures within the institution tasked with upholding South Africa’s laws and protecting its citizens.
Source: Times Live