Suspended organised crime Intel. Maj-Gen. Richard Shibiri, testified at the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday.
Image: IOL screenshot
Suspended organised crime head, Maj-Gen. Richard Shibiri, has denied 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 on Wednesday, 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.
“I never spoke to Matlala about any police operations,” Shibiri said. “When I spoke to him, he never told me about any operation that had happened to him.”
Police raided Matlala’s home on December 6, 2024.
Call records presented to the commission show that at least two phone calls took place between Matlala and Shibiri during the same month.
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 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.
“I had no reason to suspect that Mr Matlala was involved in criminal activity,” Shibiri told the commission.
Co-commissioner Sandile Khumalo questioned whether Shibiri should have scrutinised Matlala more closely, particularly after learning he had worked for a convicted criminal currently serving a prison sentence.
Shibiri rejected that suggestion, saying “You cannot investigate everyone you bump into”.
Cape Times