There was lot of contradicting statements from the suspended Organised Crime Unit Head Major General Richard Shibiri when he returned to the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday.
Shibiri was facing a fresh round of cross-examination over alleged links to criminal cartels.
Advocate Thabang Pooe led the cross examination taking Shibiri through his conversations with Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, where they shared several articles.
The commission questioned Shibiri on the links of articles he sent to Nkosi, which were mostly about blogger Musa Khawula’s arrest, General Firoz Khan’s disciplinary proceedings, General Dumisani Khumalo, General Fannie Masemola and Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s Saps contract.
“We would talk about the news out there about the police. There’s nothing we can do about them but share or just comment that they don’t paint a good name for the Saps. I resent the implication that I phoned Musa Khawula and spoke to him. I don’t know him or have his phone number, and I have never spoken to him,” said Shibiri.
Evidence leader told Shibiri that WhatsApp messages show he was already using a working phone by 20 February, contradicting his earlier claim that he only got a replacement device in March after his phone was stolen.
Shibiri said that he cannot provide certain WhatsApp messages because they were auto-deleted or manually deleted, and his phone backups were not activated.
Evident leader then pressed Shibiri about his constant communication with controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala which he denied and claim that he met him through a friend.
Matlala who is facing attempted murder charges and previously received a R360-million police tender, is a central figure in the Madlanga Commission probe into alleged political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.
Shibiri told the Madlanga Commission that Matlala did not mention the 6 December 2024 raid at his home, when they spoke on 30 December 2024.
“Yes, I testified previously that around January, I got some information that my name was used by him somewhere, and then I phoned him to say we must only talk about which is work related, and I don’t remember myself phoning him unless it was something which I wanted to ask in relation to work, and I can’t remember why I made these calls.
“Yes, we were in contact, but not frequently. And everybody who is a victim must be helped by the South African police. So, irrespective of his standing in the community, if you are a victim, you are a victim. I’m a police officer, and I assist everybody,” he said.
Last year, the SAPS awarded a company of Matlala’s, Medicare 24 Tshwane District (Pty) Ltd, a R360-million contract. It was later cancelled.