WATCH | Sibiya faces second day of questioning in justice system probe
MPs will question Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya amid allegations he tried to dismantle a political assassination task team investigating KwaZulu-Natal killings. The inquiry continues to expose possible police interference.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, is appearing for a second day before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating corruption and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Sibiya began his testimony on Monday, facing tough questions following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi told the committee that Sibiya allegedly attempted to disband a specialised politicak task team investigating political assassinations in the province.
During the session, Members of Parliament will be given an opportunity to engage directly with the evidence presented by Sibiya and interrogate his role in the alleged attempts to undermine investigations.
Addressing these claims, Sibiya denied any involvement with the so-called “Big 5” cartel allegedly linked to criminal syndicates within SAPS. He described the cartel as baseless and questioned why no arrests have been made if it truly existed.
“The Big 5 that is being spoken about is not there, and if it is indeed true, why are they not being arrested?” Sibiya told the committee. “Personally, I am not involved in the Big 5, I don’t know the Big 5.”
Sibiya also questioned his “weird” exclusion from the PKTT’s work despite his senior role and top secret security clearance.
He said the task team reported directly to Crime Intelligence and provincial police, bypassing normal investigative oversight. “If I hold top secret clearance, why can’t I be entrusted with knowing what this team is doing? What is so secret that I’m not allowed to know?” he asked.
While widely speculated to have played a role in disbanding the PKTT, Sibiya did not admit to this directly but challenged the task team’s opaque structure and denied claims that case dockets were left unattended in his office. He emphasised that deputy commissioners do not have unilateral authority to disband police units.
Sibiya also dismissed suggestions of personal links to controversial figures such as activist Brown Mogotsi and service provider Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
He said Mogotsi contacted him with information on corruption and political issues but that he had no personal relationship with him. Regarding Matlala, who has contracts with SAPS, Sibiya said he only became aware of him after he raised concerns over a tender process.
Adding to the tensions within SAPS leadership, Sibiya revealed a fallout with Mkhwanazi following the arrest of suspects in the high-profile murder of rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes). Sibiya recounted how Mkhwanazi allegedly banned him from operating in KwaZulu-Natal, undermining national policing efforts amid escalating crime.
The committee has already heard testimony from Mkhwanazi and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
On Wednesday, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is expected to appear before the committee after being implicated in the controversy surrounding the PKTT’s disbandment.
The inquiry is aimed at uncovering possible abuse of power and systemic interference within law enforcement agencies.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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