CAPE TOWN – Suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya faced intense scrutiny in Parliament on Monday, as an ad hoc committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration within the police service grilled him about his relationships with controversial figures Brown Mogotsi and Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.
Sibiya, testifying before the committee, acknowledged knowing both Mogotsi, a political influence peddler, and Matlala, a tenderpreneur implicated in the looting of Tembisa Hospital and a questionable police health services tender.
The committee, established to probe widespread allegations of corruption and maladministration within the country's law enforcement sector, focused its initial line of questioning on Sibiya's connections to these individuals, in addition to exploring his role in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, a directive allegedly issued by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Sibiya admitted to communicating with Mogotsi on several occasions, but maintained that there was nothing untoward about their interactions. He claimed that Mogotsi had contacted him to relay information about Crime Intelligence investigations purportedly aimed at removing him from his position as deputy national police commissioner.
"I work in information, so I will never block someone like that," Sibiya stated, explaining his rationale for engaging with Mogotsi. He confirmed meeting Mogotsi in Cape Town around January 8, 2025, during the ANC's anniversary celebrations, and briefly in Gauteng more recently.
Despite acknowledging these interactions, Sibiya insisted he didn't "know" Mogotsi personally, only having heard of him as an activist from the North West province. He further stated that Mogotsi had warned him about attempts to oust him from the police, information he said he discussed with the national commissioner.
Sibiya also addressed allegations that Mogotsi had been present with Minister Mchunu in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, dismissing them as false. "I was the one running the operations in Lusikisiki, and I was in the presence of the minister. The minister's visit to Lusikisiki was relatively short… there would not, in my view, have been time for Mr Mogotsi to interact with the minister," he asserted.
The questioning followed a raid on Sibiya's Centurion home last week by heavily armed police officers, including members of the National Intervention Unit. The raid is believed to be linked to testimony given by KwaZulu-Natal police boss Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged criminal infiltration of the police and accused Mchunu of undermining investigations into political killings. Mkhwanazi had previously described Sibiya as an "enabler" of malfeasance within the police.
Turning to his relationship with Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, Sibiya acknowledged that he knew Matlala was a service provider for the police. He confirmed that Matlala had a healthcare contract at the police college and that Matlala had visited him in his office in February 2024, while Sibiya was acting national commissioner, to complain about being unable to utilize the facility and fulfill the terms of the tender agreement.
Sibiya stated that Matlala had presented him with a letter from his attorneys to the national commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, outlining issues with the tender. He said he subsequently discussed the matter with Masemola, who informed him that Matlala would not be allowed access to the building.
"My responsibility in this regard was to provide Mr Matlala with feedback on what had transpired after I informed the NC (national commissioner), which I did," Sibiya said, adding that he had not known Matlala prior to the meeting in his office.
Sibiya's testimony continues on Tuesday, where he is expected to face further probing from parliamentarians regarding his relationships with Mogotsi and Matlala, as well as his alleged involvement in corrupt activities within the police service. The ad hoc committee's investigation is ongoing, with the aim of uncovering the extent of criminal infiltration and holding those responsible accountable. The proceedings are being closely watched, as they have the potential to expose deep-seated corruption within one of the country's most vital institutions.

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