Witness
Head of the SAPS Organised Crime component (dismissed) · Pretoria
Testified · dismissed from SAPS
The head of the SAPS Organised Crime component until his dismissal. He testified before the Madlanga Commission in March 2026 about his relationship with organised-crime accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, including a roughly R70,000 payment he says was a repaid loan for his son's car repairs. SAPS dismissed him in mid-2026 after an internal disciplinary process found he had brought the service into disrepute by associating with a known criminal; he denies wrongdoing and is reportedly challenging the dismissal. He is a distinct person from Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya and Brig Kwazikwakhe Sibiya - the surnames Shibiri and Sibiya are different.
This profile summarises testimony and evidence given on the public record before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. It restates allegations as presented at the hearings and is not a finding of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing by any person.
Their role
The commission heard Shibiri received roughly R70,000-R80,000 from Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, a businessman accused of organised crime, around September 2024. He characterised the relationship as ordinary and denied the money was a bribe; SAPS later found, through an internal process, that associating with a known criminal amounted to misconduct.
Shibiri testified the money was a loan to repair his son's vehicle after an accident, which he repaid in December 2024. Justice Madlanga challenged this, noting his bank records reportedly showed he had ample funds of his own, and questioned whether the repayment was an after-the-fact attempt to recast the payment once Matlala came under scrutiny. No finding of bribery has been made.
The inquiry questioned why Shibiri, though on leave, sought updates after the December 2024 arrest of alleged organised-crime figure Katiso 'KT' Molefe, including a call he said he made to an anonymous witness who disputed receiving it. Shibiri said his interest was legitimate; no finding of interference has been made.
Evidence before the commission alleged Shibiri tried to influence the investigation into the 2024 murder of engineer Armand Swart, reportedly including an attempt to tempt investigators with envelopes of cash. Shibiri emphatically denied the allegation.
A recorded December 2024 call in which Shibiri referred to a 'group of five' was put to the commission. He denied describing any cartel, saying he had only said Molefe was involved with a 'group of five' with business interests. The fuller 'Big Five' characterisation came from anonymous witnesses, not from him.
After an internal disciplinary process, SAPS confirmed in early June 2026 that Shibiri was dismissed - his dismissal letter reportedly served on 22 May 2026 - for misconduct that brought the organisation into disrepute by associating with a known criminal. He is reportedly expected to challenge the decision. This is an internal employment finding, not a criminal conviction.
On the stand
Connections
Senior Hawks investigator
Sebola told the commission a caller naming himself 'Brigadier Shibiri' asked him to resolve the Aeroton bust 'amicably'; Shibiri is the prominent officer of that surname before the inquiry.
View profile →Distinct person, similar surnameSuspended Deputy National Commissioner of Police (Crime Detection)
Often confused: Shibiri (Organised Crime, dismissed) is not Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya (suspended deputy national commissioner) - different people, different surnames.
View profile →Sources