Deputy Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya is set to take the stand on Monday in the ongoing parliamentary inquiry probing allegations of corruption and misconduct in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The Ad Hoc Committee chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, confirmed on Friday that Sibiya would testify next week. “Next week Monday and Tuesday, we have a date with General Sibiya,” Lekganyane said.
Sibiya’s appearance comes after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and national commissioner General Fannie Masemola provided testimonies earlier this week, implicating him in the controversial disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
The inquiry heard that Sibiya allegedly proceeded with plans to disband the PKTT despite advice from Masemola, who had expressed concerns about a directive issued by now-suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu in December 2024. It is alleged that Sibiya ordered the removal of PKTT dockets from KwaZulu-Natal to police head offices without the knowledge of the national commissioner.
Monday’s testimony will occur against the backdrop of police search and seizure operations at Sibiya’s home and the flat of Cedrick Nkabinde, chief of staff to suspended Minister Mchunu. Both Sibiya and Nkabinde have condemned the seizure of electronic devices, which included laptops and cellphones. Nkabinde claimed that police mistook his brother for him, assaulting the man in the process.
Mchunu’s lawyers raised concerns about the timing and conduct of the searches, arguing that it could interfere with the parliamentary inquiry. “This conduct is unacceptable as it compromises the investigation that is currently conducted by the Ad Hoc Committee. Our client simply does not know or has no way of knowing what may happen to the mobile phones that the police want to seize,” their letter to the committee read.
Masemola confirmed to the inquiry that he was aware of the PKTT team executing the search and seizure warrants. “They were not arresting anybody. It was a matter apparently of looking for people to get the gadgets,” he said. He added that if Sibiya indicates a need for his devices, they cannot be denied. “They will have done their work. It does not take months to do what they do,” Masemola said.
The parliamentary inquiry’s chief evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse SC, stressed the importance of Sibiya’s testimony. “He will be here although the committee does have power to order the head of prison to release a detainee to come and give evidence here,” Arendse said.
Patriotic Alliance MP Ashley Sauls questioned why the search for electronic devices coincided with the upcoming testimonies. Masemola responded, “If you say the tools might be needed, I don’t think they take equipment forever. They will assess what they assess and will return the equipment to the relevant owners.”
The investigation into Sibiya, Nkabinde, and Mchunu relates to a criminal case of defeating the ends of justice, which Mkhwanazi opened after obtaining an affidavit from Masemola on 4 July 2025, two days before a controversial press briefing. Mkhwanazi alleged that these individuals attempted to disband the PKTT unlawfully.
“For now what we are accusing the minister of, is the minister’s failure to protect the organisation,” Mkhwanazi told the inquiry. He explained that the case focuses on those who participated in efforts to disestablish the PKTT, stating, “That talks about the defeating ends of justice. It talks about those that participated in efforts to disestablish the PKTT.”
The unfolding parliamentary inquiry has highlighted serious tensions within the police service. Both Sibiya and Nkabinde have voiced concerns about intimidation and the potential misuse of search operations to undermine their testimony. The controversy raises questions about oversight, accountability, and internal conflicts within the South African Police Service.
As the nation awaits Sibiya’s testimony, the inquiry promises to reveal further details about the controversial disbandment of the PKTT and the broader implications for the country’s fight against organised crime and political interference in policing.
Follow Us on Twitter
