Madlanga Commission | Khumalo links Sibiya to alleged car theft suspect

Crime Intelligence Head, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, has made explosive revelations linking suspended SAPS deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to an alleged car theft and hijacking suspect.

Khumalo returned to the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday, presenting CCTV footage showing Sibiya driving a vehicle registered in the name of Schanick Stuart James — a man with an extensive criminal record.

The commission is probing allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Khumalo, walked the commission through detailed footage allegedly showing Sibiya behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux bakkie registered under James’s name on several occasions.

He described the findings as deeply concerning, saying it points to a dangerous pattern in which senior police officials appear to maintain close ties with known criminal suspects.

Khumalo warned that such revelations could demoralize investigators, who may fear for their safety when suspects enjoy protection from powerful figures.

He further revealed that a white BMW, allegedly driven by Sibiya’s associate Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, was seen following the Hilux multiple times. Nkosi was previously spotted at the Sandton residence of controversial businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe during his December arrest — driving the same vehicle.

According to Khumalo, further investigation into James uncovered his links to a network involved in multiple car thefts and hijackings.

Khumalo also presented an image to the commission showing Sibiya during his recent appearance before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, with James sitting close by, seemingly acting as his bodyguard.

Khumalo went on to allege that some Hawks (DPCI) members are linked to the ‘Big Five’ criminal network, allegedly led by Molefe and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, among others.

He said this was why the Hawks were intentionally excluded from the December operation that led to Molefe’s arrest, as there were suspicions that some members of the DPCI could be implicated.

“During our investigations, we identified an individual, Zungu, from the TOMS unit of DPCI, who is allegedly working with the cartel and there are other pieces of information which will later point towards that direction,” said Khumalo. “Even before the takedown, we had a red flag that we needed to protect this investigation against DPCI, if I may put it that way.

Earlier, the commission heard from Witness A, who testified that the Hawks tried to interfere with the search and seizure operation at Molefe’s Sandton home after being summoned by Molefe’s relative, AB Mthethwa.

Molefe — long alleged to be involved in a string of assassinations across Gauteng — was being investigated for orchestrating the April 2024 murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.

Swart was reportedly killed in a case of mistaken identity after a whistleblower at his company, Q-Tech, exposed irregularities at Transnet, where Molefe’s nephew, Lucky Molefe, worked as a buyer.

Khumalo said Swart’s assassination sparked police investigations into possible counter-intelligence syndicates in Gauteng and that Molefe’s arrest proved key to uncovering a wider criminal network operating in the province.

He added that the probe later linked the network to attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who allegedly has at least 20 former Task Force officers acting as his protectors.

Khumalo testified that individuals behind political and criminal hits often recruit serving police officers as assassins.

“We’ve seen hit coordinators recruiting active SAPS members to carry out killings,” he said. “So the arrest of Warrant Officer Tau, one of the hitmen, did not surprise us.”

Because of the risks faced by investigators in Swart’s case, Khumalo said the prosecutor wrote to provincial and national police leadership in August 2024 requesting protection for officers and witnesses.

He added that Witnesses A and B were placed under urgent protection after it emerged that former warrant officer and murder accused Pule Tau had close ties to members of the criminal syndicate.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao