Suspended organised crime Intel. Maj-Gen. Richard Shibiri, testified at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, denying ever discussing police operations with alleged tycoon, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, despite records showing the two were in contact around the time police raided Matlala’s home.
Shibiri was testifying before the Madlanga Commission, where he faced detailed questioning about his relationship with Matlala and whether their communication crossed into sensitive police matters. The senior officer told the commission that his relationship with Matlala was purely social and never involved operational discussions related to the police.
Phone Records Reveal Suspicious Calls
Call records presented to the commission show that at least two phone calls took place between Matlala and Shibiri during the same month as the police raid on Matlala’s home, which occurred on December 6, 2024. Evidence leader, Adv. Thabang Pooe, questioned how the raid could not have been mentioned during those conversations, particularly given the nature of their relationship.
The commission also heard that Matlala had previously loaned Shibiri R70,000 and had approached him for assistance during a public dispute with entertainment blogger Musa Khawula. Co-commissioner Sesi Baloyi told the hearing that Shibiri’s explanation was difficult to accept, suggesting it was unlikely that such a significant police operation would not have been raised in their discussions.
Shibiri Maintains Innocence
Shibiri maintained that there was nothing improper about his relationship with Matlala. He told the commission that the two first met in 2016 at a mutual friend’s home and encountered each other occasionally over the years. According to Shibiri, Matlala appeared “kind” and “soft-spoken” and had once shared information about a wanted suspect in 2019 for whom he had provided security services.
For more information on the Madlanga Commission, visit the South African Department of Justice website. Additionally, the South African Police Service has a dedicated page on their official Wikipedia page.
Here are some key points to consider:
- Shibiri denies discussing police matters with Matlala despite phone records showing they were in contact.
- The commission heard that Matlala had loaned Shibiri R70,000 and had approached him for assistance during a public dispute.
- Shibiri maintains that his relationship with Matlala was purely social and never involved operational discussions.
