Madlanga Commission this week has exposed glaring contradictions from suspended organised crime boss Maj-Gen Richard Shibiri and controversial ANC treasurer and businessman, Suliman Carrim, as the inquiry probes their financial dealings with underworld tycoons, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Hangwani Maumela.
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Madlanga Commission this week has exposed glaring contradictions from suspended organised crime boss Maj-Gen Richard Shibiri and controversial ANC treasurer and businessman, Suliman Carrim, as the inquiry probes their financial dealings with underworld tycoons, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Hangwani Maumela.
Evidence before the inquiry has raised serious questions about Shibiri’s credibility after he admitted lying under oath and struggled to explain a R70,000 payment from Matlala, while Carrim faced scrutiny over millions of rand linked to Matlala’s company and other figures implicated in major corruption scandals.
Shibiri testified before the commission from Wednesday to Friday, attempting to explain why he received funds from Matlala.
Shibiri insisted the payment was merely an emergency loan needed to repair his vehicle during what he described as financial hardship. But the commission evidence sharply undermined that claim.
Bank records presented during the hearings revealed that Shibiri had more than R100,000 available in his accounts at the time he requested the money.
The contradictions did not stop there.Financial records showed that shortly after receiving the payment, Shibiri spent thousands on luxury fashion items at high-end Sandton boutiques — purchases that directly contradicted his claims of being in “dire straits”.
North West businessman Suliman Carrim’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry revealed an alleged money laundering syndicate between him and tenderpreneurs Hangwani Maumela and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
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Commission evidence leaders revealed that he spent roughly R19,000 at Gucci and about R3,000 on Louis Vuitton sandals during the same period he said he urgently needed money for car repairs.
The revelations deepened doubts about the credibility of Shibiri who, before his suspension, oversaw sensitive investigations into organised crime networks and high-profile corruption cases.
Matters escalated further on Thursday when Shibiri admitted that he had lied during earlier testimony.
The admission came after investigators confronted him with audio recordings that contradicted statements he had made about suspended Deputy Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
In his testimony, Shibiri stunned the inquiry with shifting accounts about an alleged faction linked to Sibiya and its supposed connections to the notorious “Big Five” cartel.
However, despite the explosive allegations, he refused to identify the individuals he claimed were involved.
Shibiri has also denied accusations that he tipped off Matlala about a police raid in December 2024 — allegations that remain under investigation despite the financial ties between the two men.
While Shibiri’s testimony rattled the commission midweek, equally dramatic evidence emerged earlier when controversial North West businessman and ANC provincial treasurer Suliman Carrim took the stand.
Carrim appeared before the inquiry on Monday and Tuesday after unsuccessfully attempting to block a subpoena and requesting to testify behind closed doors.
Under questioning, Carrim confirmed that he had provided R10 million in funding to Matlala’s company, Medicare24 — a firm that secured a lucrative R360 million health services tender from the SAPS.
The commission also examined Carrim’s financial links to Morgan Maumela, an alleged central figure in the looting scandal involving Tembisa Hospital.
Carrim admitted that he advanced R500,000 to Maumela after being instructed to do so by Matlala, who allegedly promised the money would be repaid.
“Matlala told me to pay Maumela,” Carrim told the commission.
The inquiry also revealed more than R2 million in payments from Carrim-linked companies to Matlala’s enterprise that Carrim claimed were “unauthorised” and made without his knowledge.
Further evidence suggested that millions of rand in additional payments from Carrim’s Tasmica Construction flowed into Medicare24 accounts without being disclosed.
Carrim has denied wielding political influence despite scrutiny over his relationships with senior figures, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
His testimony remains ongoing, with further questioning expected in April
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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