The Madlanga Commission has heard evidence of frequent communications between suspended Organised Crime Head Major-General Richard Shibiri and attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, despite Shibiri's earlier testimony of minimal contact. Shibiri is undergoing cross-examination at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. He has also alleged that Witness A, who implicated him in a murder investigation, received a promotion in exchange for testimony against him.
The Madlanga Commission, investigating matters related to police conduct, continued its proceedings on March 11, 2026, with cross-examination of suspended Organised Crime Head Major-General Richard Shibiri. Evidence presented showed consistent communication between Shibiri and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, an accused in an attempted murder case, occurring a week before Shibiri's arrest. This contradicted Shibiri's previous testimony that his interactions with Matlala were minimal.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi SC pressed Shibiri on his lack of recollection regarding these contacts. Baloyi questioned: “But to put it as I don’t recall that I was in frequent contact with him, I don’t recall receiving or sending WhatsApp messages after the phone was repaired. I don’t understand it for someone who is clearly prominent generally, but also in your life, clearly. How do you explain that?” Shibiri responded: “Yeah. As I testified previously, that around January, around January, I got some information that my name was used by him somewhere.”
In related testimony, Shibiri alleged that Witness A, who had accused him of interfering in the investigation into the April 2024 murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, was promised a promotion. Shibiri noted that Witness A advanced from Sergeant to Warrant Officer by March 3, 2026. He stated: “I have since noted from supplementary witness statements submitted by Witness A that he presently holds the rank of Warrant Officer. It appears that until as recently as 3 March 2026, Witness A held the rank of Sergeant. [But] he has since been promoted. I wish to state clearly that I do not begrudge any member of South Africa’s Police Service legitimate career progression.”
The cross-examination is taking place at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria.
