Madlanga Commission | SAPS sergeant accuses Sibiya of lying under oath

South African Police Service (SAPS) Sergeant, Fannie Nkosi, has told the Madlanga Commission that he never discussed payments linked to the SAPS Medicare24 tender with alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Nkosi testified before the commission on Monday, where WhatsApp exchanges presented as evidence suggest he may have engaged Matlala about the matter.

The inquiry heard that Matlala sent Nkosi three proof-of-payment statements via WhatsApp, apparently to show that he had finally received funds after months of complaints about delayed payments.

Nkosi confirmed receiving the documents but said he merely forwarded them to suspended SAPS Head of Organised Crime Richard Shibiri and suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya – officials he claims Matlala had also approached for assistance.

Although Nkosi acknowledged that Shibiri’s portfolio does not involve the administration of SAPS tenders, he said Shibiri had expressed interest in the matter after Matlala raised concerns about the delays.

Nkosi maintained that Matlala never directly sought his assistance and suggested the businessman had access to more senior contacts within SAPS who could intervene.

The sergeant also testified that he had sent a warrant of arrest for controversial blogger Musa Khawula to Matlala, claiming the pair often attended similar social events and that Matlala could alert police if he spotted him.

The commission further heard that Nkosi may have shared the warrant with businessman Ze Nxumalo, whom he identified as one of the complainants in Khawula’s case alongside ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, after Khawula allegedly insulted them on social media.

In evidence suggesting Nxumalo became actively involved in efforts to help locate Khawula, Nkosi said Nxumalo informed him that Khawula had been seen at an awards ceremony in Pietermaritzburg and questioned why he had not yet been arrested. Nkosi said Nxumalo even shared Khawula’s contact details, although he insisted he did not act on the information.

Nkosi told the commission he did not feel pressured by Nxumalo, despite earlier testimony suggesting he had been under pressure to effect the arrest.

He also accused Sibiya of being untruthful when the deputy national commissioner claimed that Nkosi had never brought Matlala to his office in September 2024 to discuss tender payment issues.

Nkosi further disputed Sibiya’s testimony that he had not wanted impalas delivered to his home, particularly as the animals had allegedly been arranged by Matlala, who was a service provider to SAPS.

The commission previously heard from Sibiya that Matlala had attended his son’s engagement party only to collect his wife, who he said was too intoxicated to drive.

Nkosi said he did not recall Sibiya making that claim.

He also denied Sibiya’s assertion that they had never discussed the contents of a court application brought against him by Matlala.

Nkosi told the commission that Sibiya first met Matlala in September 2024 after the businessman requested an introduction and was subsequently granted an opportunity to meet him at SAPS headquarters.

He said he acted as an intermediary between the two men at the time and that the meeting took place weeks before Matlala was allegedly invited to Sibiya’s son’s engagement party at his farm.

The commission also heard that Nkosi relayed messages between Matlala and Sibiya regarding the delivery of impalas to the farm, but denied being directly involved in arranging the transaction.

Evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, however, put it to Nkosi that the arrangement occured in March 2024, about six months before Nkosi claims the two men first met.

Nkosi maintained he had merely forwarded a voice note from Matlala to Sibiya and relayed the feedback, which included a location where the animals were to be delivered.

Chaskalson told the commission that WhatsApp messages and screenshots suggest Nkosi, Matlala and Sibiya were already communicating during that March 2024 arrangement, contradicting Nkosi’s version of events.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao