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.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Suspended SAPS deputy commissioner, Lt-Gen Shadrack 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.
Image: Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
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.
“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.
“It fell within your expectations of who would get this kind of communication,” Baloyi said. “You say you don't know why. I’m suggesting that’s what happened here.”
Baloyi further alleged that Sibiya expected the report to circulate among associates, including Maj-Gen. Richard Shiburi.
Sibiya pushed back, accusing the commission of speculation. “If the commissioners will rely on that speculation, it’s still in the hands of the chair,” he said.
The tender itself had already been under scrutiny.
Investigators found that in December 2023 — six months before the contract was formally awarded — Matlala had rented a clinic on SAPS property, fuelling allegations of “tender prophecy” and possible prior knowledge of the deal.
After being briefed on the irregularities, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu ordered the contract cancelled. The termination was finalised on 13 May 2025.
The hearing continues.
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