Madlanga Commission | Shibiri denies influencing officials to accept bribes

Suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) Head of Organised Crime, Richard Shibiri, has denied attempting to influence officials involved in the investigation into the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday, Shibiri maintained that he had in fact cautioned investigators against accepting alleged bribes linked to the case.

Swart was shot dead in April 2024 in what has been described as a case of mistaken identity, after a whistle-blower at QTech flagged financial irregularities involving Transnet.

Former warrant officer Pule Tau and two other alleged hitmen were arrested in connection with the killing, which police believe was orchestrated by suspected cartel figure Katiso “KT” Molefe.

Three witnesses, identified as Witness A, Witness B and Sergeant Ndlela, previously told the commission that Shibiri had warned them that so-called “brown envelopes” were circulating and were intended for the magistrate, prosecutor, and investigating officers handling the matter.

They testified that Shibiri suggested refusing the payments could place officials in danger.

However, Shibiri disputed this version, insisting that his intention was to alert investigators to potential threats and to encourage them to remain resolute.

Shibiri added that he encouraged officials to conduct a threat-risk assessment to safeguard those involved in the investigation.

Meanwhile, commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, criticised Shibiri’s explanation for borrowing money from alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, arguing that the senior officer ought to have exercised greater caution.

Shibiri confirmed that he accepted a loan of R70 000 from Matlala in September 2024, citing pressing financial obligations. He also acknowledged that he was aware Matlala was facing serious criminal allegations at the time.

Madlanga challenged Shibiri’s justification that the transaction was acceptable because Matlala had not been formally convicted of any crime.

Shibiri maintained that while he does not condone misconduct within law enforcement, interactions with individuals facing allegations are sometimes unavoidable.

He told the commission that he had known Matlala for a considerable period and did not initially believe he was dealing with a criminal.

The commission also heard claims that Shibiri had changed aspects of his version while testifying.

This follows his explanation that he repaid the R70,000 loan by selling livestock, despite bank statements showing that he made luxury purchases at Gucci and Louis Vuitton stores in Sandton during the same period.

Commissioner, Sandile Khumalo, noted that even after the high-end spending, Shibiri maintained a bank balance of no less than R47,000.

Shibiri further told the inquiry that he had spent about R14,000 on alcohol for a thanksgiving ceremony with his siblings in September 2024 and urged investigators to verify the expense through his credit-card statements.

However, the commission found no record of such a transaction. Shibiri later apologised, saying he now recalled that the alcohol had been purchased using cash.

The commission was also presented with bank records indicating that Shibiri and his son had a combined balance of at least R105,000 at the time the loan from Matlala was taken.

Shibiri previously testified that part of the loan was intended to repair his son’s vehicle, for which he had received a quotation of about R55,000. He also said the money was needed to build a wall around his home and to erect a tombstone for his late father.

He told the commission he had expected to repay Matlala using a bonus of about R150,000 due in December.

Shibiri later added that the loan had also assisted with costs related to a thanksgiving ceremony – a claim that drew further concern from Justice Madlanga, who suggested the explanations appeared to be expanding as new financial details emerged.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao