Top cop on why he 'turned down' Matlala's wild game gift

SUSPENDED SAPS Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has distanced himself from the 20 impalas from alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. 

This despite him being named by Sergeant Fannie Nkosi as the beneficiary of the animals. Nkosi, who recently testified as Witness F at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, had his cover blown during Sibiya's testimony, prompting Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to allow his identity to be revealed.

In his testimony, Nkosi revealed alleged WhatsApp chats with Matlala, suggesting that he had gifted Sibiya impalas.

Nkosi testified that his role as a middleman between Sibiya and Matlala may have begun around December 2023, when Sibiya summoned him to his office. 

He told the commission that Sibiya instructed him to fetch Matlala, who was waiting downstairs. Matlala allegedly told Nkosi he was there to discuss a R360-million SAPS contract with his company, Medicare 24 Tshwane.

Sibiya, however, said he only met Matlala in January 2024 at his office, where Matlala was brought by Sibiya's personal assistant. 

He was at pains to explain this when commissioners questioned how this could be given the tender was only awarded in June 2024, four months after their meeting.

Sibiya contradicted Nkosi who claimed he was part of the meeting.

Regarding the impala controversy, he claimed he already had animals on his Centurion plot when he bought it, including antelopes, goats, and sheep.

He testified that his antelopes he had on his property died from eating ropes used to tie bricks, leaving him with only one.

Sibiya claimed that Nkosi was aware of his animal situation and had offered to help him acquire more animals.

The commission played a voice note sent to Nkosi's phone, with an unknown person asking: "Sorry to bother you so early. Can you send me a pin drop where the bucks - impalas must go, please, sir?"

Nkosi confirmed during his testimony that the message was sent to him by Matlala, but he did not know the identity of the speaker on the voice note.

Sibiya told the commission that no impalas were delivered at his plot because he "was not going to accept anything from a service provider".

Sibiya also testified he had told Nkosi he did not need impalas, citing that they die fast and he could not afford the upkeep, having previously spent around R12,000 a month on them.

"I expressly requested that Sergeant Nkosi ensure that the correct animal, namely a bleskop, be delivered. He later indicated that he had been under the impression that I was seeking an impala. As a result of this misunderstanding, no animal was delivered to my property.

"I categorically deny that I acquired or received any impala from Mr Matlala or from any other person  for that matter. No animal was delivered to my pursuant to these discussions. In fact, the remaining blesbok on my property has already died. In any event, I am no longer in a financial position to maintain additional animals, let alone acquire new livestock."

Cape Times