Major-General Richard Shibiri, suspended head of SAPS Organised Crime Unit, testified about his relationship with alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
Major-General Richard Shibiri, suspended head of the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, has come under stinging criticism during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday for allegedly tipping off alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala about a December 6, 2024, police operation at Matlala's house.
The allegations of Shibiri warning Matlala about the police raid emerged against a backdrop of friendship and a financial transaction between the two, with Matlala having loaned Shibiri R70,000.
Shibiri testified that at the time of the police raid, he owed Matlala a balance of R50,000 from the R70,000 loan.
The commission heard that Matlala allegedly told police officers conducting a search and seizure operation at his house that they could not touch him because he had the organised crime head on his side to protect him.
Shibiri said: "It angers me when he told people I am his person, meaning I can protect him from any wrongdoing. That is what makes me angry because that could never happen. The issue that he gives me money is not like he gives me money when he sees me. He loaned me money, which I paid back. Yes, he is a friend. But he is not a friend with whom we go out every weekend or go to parties together."
Co-commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC pressed Shibiri, suggesting he cannot blame Matlala for thinking he would get protection from him whenever he is in trouble, given their financial ties and Shibiri's position as head of organised crime.
"If I were him, I would not do that," Shibiri said, reiterating that his anger stemmed from Matlala's confession "to those people that nothing will happen to me, I have Shibiri".
Baloyi asked Shibiri if he would agree that it is concerning that someone with a complaint against Matlala might hesitate to approach him for help, given their friendship.
Shibiri replied: "Yes, other people can take it like that and say we can't go to him if we want help because he once assisted me."
Co-commissioner Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC pointed out that Shibiri's outstanding debt of R50,000 to Matlala, having only repaid R20,000 of R70,000, illustrated why people might be hesitant to approach him about complaints against Matlala.
He added that there is a suspicion that either Shibiri or Sergeant Fannie Nkosi tipped off Matlala regarding the December 6, 2024, police raid.
Shibiri said: "I know I won't go anywhere with this one because it is there... I borrowed the money, not knowing whether he is being investigated or whatever. When I borrowed money, I didn't know he was a subject of investigation."
Nkosi, also known as Witness F, was revealed as a key figure during suspended SAPS Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya's testimony.
Nkosi allegedly acted as a middleman between Sibiya and Matlala, but Sibiya denied the claim.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga allowed Nkosi's identity to be revealed after it was inadvertently exposed during Sibiya's testimony.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za