Major-General Richard Shibiri testifies at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The Madlanga Commission has challenged suspended head of the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, Richard Shibiri’s claim that he borrowed money from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to cover expenses, after bank records showed he spent nearly R20 000 at Gucci and Louis Vuitton after receiving the funds.
Commission evidence revealed that around the time he received the funds, Shibiri spent R19 000 at Gucci and about R3000 on Louis Vuitton sandals in Sandton — purchases that sharply contradicted his claim that he needed the money to cover urgent expenses.
Shibiri told the commission the R70 000 loan was meant to pay for repairs to his son’s vehicle after an insurance claim was rejected.
He said these luxury purchases came as a form of gifts for his birthday celebration.
The repair bill was estimated at R55 000.
But commissioners questioned why he needed to borrow the money at all.
Bank statements presented during the hearing showed Shibiri had access to more than R90 000 at the time including about R47 000 in his account and a R44 000 overdraft facility.
Co-commissioner Sandile Khumalo pointed out that the available funds were sufficient to cover the repair costs without borrowing from Matlala.
The commission also scrutinised Shibiri’s repayment claims.
He testified that he repaid R20 000 in cash in November 2024 using proceeds from selling cattle at his rural homestead, followed by a R50 000 bank transfer in December.
However, financial records presented at the hearing showed he spent roughly the same amount at Gucci around the time he claimed to have made the cash repayment.
Under questioning, Shibiri insisted the loan was a private arrangement and denied any wrongdoing.
“I decided I wanted to use the money to build something, a wall at my house,” he said, attempting to explain why the funds were not immediately used for the car repairs.
Shibiri maintained that the loan carried no conditions and that he never provided Matlala with any favours in his role as an SAPS member.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga suggested that Shibiri chose the "convenience of borrowing" from someone implicated in criminality instead of using his own funds.
Shibiri said: "My response is this... I saw it convenient for me to use the loan and repay it, and use the other money for what I intended to irrespective of somebody saying it is convenient or not. That was my thinking, that I will be able to pay it sooner and this was easier for me."
He said the worst point he accepts is that he chose to take a loan from a seriously implicated person. "That is the only thing I am taking home."
He, however, noted that Matlala was not charged at the time.
"But I am not sorry for my decision. I took a decision as a man who was thinking in that particular way at that time," he said.
Madlanga expressed concern that Shibiri, as a senior officer and general, seemed to think he was justified in taking a loan from Matlala simply because Matlala had not been charged at the time.
Shibiri explained he was not condoning police officers being involved with those implicated in crime.
He argued that it was unfair for the commission to single him out for a perceived wrongdoing by borrowing money from someone facing allegations, saying there were people facing allegations who are still holding office.
"I can even quote ministers who are serving with convictions and so forth. Does this apply only to me in the eyes of the commission?" he said.
Cape Times