Madlanga to Sibiya: You warned Matlala of his SAPS tender being cancelled

South Africa – Pretoria – 24 Feberuary 2026. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness former Deputy Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya testifies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Suspended SAPS deputy commissioner, Lt-GenShadrack Sibiya,has admitted sending a confidential police audit report to a junior officer, fully aware it could reach Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala as the commission suggested that he alerted the tycoon that his R360 million police health tender was about to be axed.

Under sustained pressure from commission chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Sibiya conceded on Tuesday that he forwarded the sensitive report to Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, knowing it could be shared with Matlala. The report detailed the impending cancellation of the SAPS health services contract awarded in June 2024 to Matlala’s company, Medicare24. This is the document that suspended SAPS deputy commissioner, Lt-Gen.

Shadrack Sibiya, shared to his junior, Fannie Nkosi. The document reached Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The company had secured the deal to provide medical and wellness services to SAPS members at the police college in Pretoria.Madlanga was blunt: Sibiya’s explanation did not hold.

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“You were basically sharing … to alert Matlala as to what was happening,” Madlanga told him. “You were upfront alerting him — be aware this is what is happening.” The back and forth then began on whether Sibiya tipped Matlala about his contract. Sibiya admitted he understood the risk that Nkosi could pass the document to Matlala.

But he denied that this was his intention, maintaining he had not acted to protect the alleged cartel leader. Co-commissioner Sesi Baloyi was equally direct. She suggested the circulation of the document fell squarely within Sibiya’s expectations and inner circle.

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