The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has rejected allegations by socialite Serge Cabonge that he used his police connections to help a senior figure linked to the inquiry secure the withdrawal of criminal charges against a family member.

In a statement issued today, Thursday, Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels described the allegations as “false, incoherent and not supported by any facts”.

The Commission said none of its commissioners or evidence leaders had met, spoken to or knew Cabonge. It also denied that anyone acting on its behalf had communicated with him about appearing before the inquiry.

The allegations emerged from a voice recording, approximately 25 minutes long, played on 13 October during the bail application of suspended former Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.

In the recording, Cabonge is heard speaking to a man identified as Mr M, the father of a 16-year-old girl whom Sibiya is accused of sexually grooming.

Cabonge allegedly claimed to have close ties to a senior figure at the commission, whom he described as a former judge president and “a man who sits in the front”.

He further alleged that he intervened after the man’s daughter faced criminal charges following a collision in Sandton involving a woman carrying a child. Cabonge claimed the case was withdrawn within about a week after he used his police contacts.

The Commission said it had initially indicated that it would engage Cabonge and obtain a statement from him because his name had previously been mentioned during its proceedings.

However, Michaels said further public commentary suggesting that senior representatives of the judicial commission had attempted to interfere in a criminal investigation had made it necessary to issue a more definitive response.

The Commission urged the public to treat the allegations with caution.

Sibiya, who was arrested in September, faces charges that include the alleged sxual grooming of a minor, rpe, human trafficking and firearms-related offences. He remains in custody as the Randburg Magistrates’ Court considers his bail application.

Cabonge, an Angolan-born socialite and businessman whose name has featured in public discussions involving figures such as alleged criminal underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has also been mentioned in connection with matters surrounding the inquiry.

The Commission’s public hearings are scheduled to resume on 9 November 2026.

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