Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness Major-General Richard Shibiri testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Friday. Suspended SAPS crime bossMaj-Gen Richard Shibiristunned the inquiry with a series of contradictory statements about Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya’s alleged faction and its possible ties to the notorious “Big 5” cartel, but he did not want to reveal the names. Shibiri’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Friday revealed deep divisions within the police leadership and raised questions about whether internal rivalries are compromising investigations into organised crime.
The commission is probing claims of internal power struggles within the SAPS and alleged connections to the so-called “Big 5” cartel. Central to the confrontation was a recorded phone call in which Shibiri suggested that information about the arrest of Katiso “KT” Molefe was being sought for “the other side” rather than for National Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola. When the recording was played before the commission, Shibiri initially confirmed that “the other side” referred to Sibiya’s faction inside the police service.
However, his explanation shifted under questioning. Sibiya is accused of having close links to the cartel members. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenged Shibiri on why his interpretation of the phrase later changed.
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Shibiri attempted to retract his earlier statement, claiming he had meant “family and friends” connected to the suspect rather than a faction inside SAPS. Madlanga rejected the explanation, pointing out that Shibiri’s earlier wording clearly suggested an internal divide within the police leadership.
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