Hearing day 76

General Shibiri had in excess of R50,000 in credit on a bank statement from 18 September, indicating available funds beyond the overdraft facility for repairs to his son's car.

“you had a balance in excess of R50000”

General Shibiri's overdraft limit was R44,000 according to the bank statement.

“you will see that it is indicated at the top just before the heading, your transactions. You will see that you had an overdraft limit of R44000.”

General Shibiri's understanding is that the balance shown on the bank statement is inclusive of the overdraft.

“My understanding here is the balance is inclusive of overdraft.”

The Chairperson explained that the R50,000 plus credit is the General's own money, available and separate from the overdraft facility.

“The R50000 plus is the credit. That is your own money, General.”

General Shibiri acknowledges he had more than R94,000 available including his overdraft facility.

“So basically, all on your own, you had R94000 available to you. You accept that?”

A deposit of R70,000 was made by Mr Matlalala into General Shibiri's son's account, increasing the balance to R81,000.

“The very first one, it shows the deposit of R70000 by Mr Matlala. Do you see that?”

General Shibiri states that despite having excess funds of R105,000 between himself and his son, he still needed extra money because of planned building works and renovations, intending to repay the loan in December when expecting an excess of R130,000 to R150,000.

“As I indicated yesterday, I had planned to build a wall back home and also at my house. And also, we are renovating my dad's tombstone in March. That was in my plan. So hence, I needed extra money to deal with that, knowing that in December I will be having in the excess of R130000 to R150000 which I can easily pay back the money which I could have loaned.”

General Shibiri denies needing Mr Matlalala’s money for a Thanksgiving function, clarifying that it was not a promotion party nor funded by Mr Matlalala.

“That was not a party to celebrate my promotion. It was not funded by Matlala.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI denies piling up money and explains that the money referred to as collective mine was planned and was on balance, and some of it was used for a ceremony on 20 September 2024.

“I disagree. I am trying to explain to the Commissioner that it is not piling. It is something which was planned, which was there, which that particular money you are referring to as collective mine, which was on balance. Some of the things I was going to use for it is that. That was my explanation.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI states that from 16 September he was supposed to be on leave and left on 18 September for Limpopo because of a ceremony on 20 September.

“I also indicated that from the 16th, I was supposed to be on leave. And I left on the 18th for Limpopo because I was having that ceremony on the 20th.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI met with Nkosi on 18 September and gave him claims to take there because he was leaving.

“On the 18th, I met with Nkosi and gave him even my claims to go and take them there because I was leaving.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI explains that the money he borrowed was based on what his son told him to say and fluctuated to a higher amount, and that there was no piling up of money.

“And what I borrowed initially from my side, it was what was told to my son to say it can reach 55. But on his advice to say, hey, things fluctuate, it can go high and so forth, it is better you take the higher one. As you are saying, you will be having the money whatsoever. So there is nothing I am piling up or adding up which was not there.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI admits to using money from his account to fund the Thanksgiving ceremony on 20 September 2024, amounting to R14,000 used to buy beverages.

“I think I used R14000 to buy beverages.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI claims the R14,000 debit was from his credit account, not his debit account, and it is not visible on the pages examined.

“On page 44, it is not showing or since it came from my credit account.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI states he took a loan for convenience to repay it and use other money for intended expenses, despite the loan being from a person seriously implicated in criminality.

“My decisions ... is that I agreed to say I decided to take a loan from a seriously, seriously implicated person. So, that is the only thing I am taking home... I took a decision as a man who was thinking ...”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI denies regret for taking loan from a seriously implicated person, but takes the allegation seriously although no charges were brought against anyone.

“I take that home. But I am not sorry for my decision. I took a decision as a man who was thinking that in that particular way at that time and I believe I have got the right to think like that as long as it is right.”

General Shibiri stated he does not condone police officers being involved with people who are allegedly accused but not charged, and emphasized that while association or interaction may be unavoidable, he cannot associate with criminal acts.

“I am not condoning it or condoning police officers to be involved with people who are allegedly to be involved ... I cannot associate with criminal doing ... criminal acts with any individual. I cannot.”

General Shibiri admitted to borrowing money from a person who had allegations against him but stated he had a long relationship with that person without knowing about the allegations at the time, and insisted he repaid the loan.

“The only thing where it has been pointed now and then is that I borrowed money from a person who had an allegation or a cloud hanging around his head ... I had a long relationship with him without knowing or without him having such or whatever ... it is a loan which I paid.”

The Chairperson expressed skepticism that the money borrowed by General Shibiri was a genuine loan, noting that after expenses he had a significant amount of money available and questioned why he did not use those funds instead.

“CHAIRPERSON”

General Shibiri was questioned on whether the money he borrowed was a loan and appeared to admit that it was a loan that he chose to take due to specific reasons and was prepared to repay.

“I had my reasons and I gave my reasons why I chose to take the loan, preparing for whatever and it was within my reach to pay and I paid ... it remained a loan which I paid.”

General Shibiri stated there was no OUTsurance amount involved, contradicting the suggestion that an insurance estimate was part of this matter.

“Just to highlight that there was no OUTsurance amount.”

General Shibiri stated that between two or three months after the car was damaged, it was repaired; it was not repaired immediately.

“Remember yesterday you said the car was not repaired immediately. It was repaired over a period of two or three months.”

There was no urgent need for a loan from Mr Matlala because the witness and his son received their September salaries 12 days after the loan, which improved their financial position compared to when the loan was given.

“there really was no urgent need for a loan from Mr Matlala because by the time you had to pay for the repairs and you had to pay for 10 purchase of the new parts, you actually had your September salary, which made your position even better than what it was on the date when the loan was given.”

The money needed was only for the cow; there was no money for food or other household needs, and the witness's son was staying in the flat and paying some amount.

“It seems as if the money needed was only for the cow. There is no life, there is no food, there is no whatever which is done in the households or my son is staying in the flat, is paying certain amount and so forth.”

Perceptions matter for senior police officers who associate with people accused of serious misconduct, as public faith in SAPS can be affected.

“Do you accept that perceptions matter when the public sees you keeping the company and friendship of people who, in the public space, are accused of serious misconduct?”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI accepts that perceptions matter regarding his associations and the impact on public trust in SAPS, depending on context.

“Ja. I accept, depending on the level of coming together or whatever happens, I accept.”

There is a perception that police officers who associate with accused persons of criminal conduct are corrupt and may collect from criminal environments.

“So the perception would be the police who are going there, they are corrupt, they are going to collect. Yes, it is like that.”

The witness is close friends with Mr Matlala, has received a loan from him, and publicly providing assistance to him justifies the loan as an act he would do for any member of the public, but acknowledges the public may view the relationship with concern affecting public faith in SAPS.

“The public be come aware, as it has now become aware through your evidence that you are close friends with Mr Matlala, that you have received the benefit of a loan, what you say was a loan, from him. The public now knows that you actually do provide assistance. You justify it, that well, this is assistance that I would have given to any member of the public. But knowing the facts, as you have testified to at least that you have conceded about your relationship with him, do you accept that in the eyes of the public that may be an issue for concern and it is something that must concern you, because it impacts on what people think about not just you, not just you, but also the SAPS?”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI clarifies that it would be unfair for the public to form a lasting negative view based on a single incident of association with someone later involved in criminal actions, especially as he is no longer friends with that person.

“I think it is what I explained to Commissioner Khumalo yesterday to say that it would be wrong for the public to take a view based on one incident, and then combine them to be one thing. I even gave example of we, this comes from long way, and criminal actions happened later, and now I am still in that one, even though for where I am standing now because of what happened, because of what involved in, we are no longer friends or whatsoever. But I explained this, exactly that question to Commissioner to say this relation, it was long, and now you got evidence now of what unfolded and who this person is, what did it happen, and when did I became to see it, and so forth. So, I indicated yesterday it would be unfair because it would be an unfair in a realistic world where we are living with people.”

Complainants may request a specific police officer to assist them, but this is not a guaranteed or standard operation procedure.

“Not necessarily what we do, but it happens that the complainant will come and say we do not want this particular investigator because of one, two, three, we want our case to be dealt by this one because he was doing better than this one.”

Mr Matlala requested Sergeant Nkosi to accompany him during a complaint, but did not provide a reason for preferring Sergeant Nkosi.

“Matlala actually said if Nkosi is not busy, he will appreciate if you assist him and I said I will phone Nkosi and hear from him, then he will call him if he is ready.”

Mr Matlala did not give a specific reason why he wanted Sergeant Nkosi to attend with him.

“No, he did not give me instruction. No, I am not saying instruction, General. Did he give you a reason why he wants Sergeant Nkosi to be the one that goes with him after you said to him got to the police station?”

Mr Matlala wanted Sergeant Nkosi to accompany him due to their proximity, effectively being friends.

“I indicated due to the proximity of him and Nkosi. I indicated that yesterday.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI did not have prior discussion with Mr Matlala about attending General Sibiya's function in September 2024.

“No. I did not even know about it. I knew about it on, I think on the 13th. It was Friday. Because I came back from China on the 2nd. And on that Friday, I was so tired, then I was sleeping.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI received a call from General Sibiya inviting him to an engagement party of his son and considered attending.

“Hence, other documents were brought home to be signed. So, I received a call from the General indicating that there will be a engagement party of his son. If I could, he would appreciate it if I come. I said I would see if I am not still tired because I am still feeling tired.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI phoned Sergeant Nkosi to ask about attending General Sibiya's son's engagement party; Nkosi was expected to escort him but other people could not assist so he phoned Absa directly for assistance.

“During the day, on Saturday, I spoke to Nkosi who seems to be there by the General's assisting, asking if I am coming. I said, ja, I think I will come, but I will decide in the afternoon. ... I had a puncture, and then I again phoned Nkosi and the other people to assist. They could not assist. I phoned Absa directly to come and assist me.”

Sergeant Nkosi knew LT-GEN SHIBIRI was going to attend the party because he telephoned to ask if he was coming.

“I take it so because he was with the General and he asked me if I am coming telephonically when he was there with the General.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI confirmed he told Sergeant Nkosi he was coming to the party and would be attending, but had no discussion about Mr Matlala attending.

“I answered to say I am coming. ... No. Not at all. No, he asked me when I was there if Matlala was there.”

Sergeant Nkosi informed LT-GEN SHIBIRI about the arrival of a person named Catha at the party, to which LT-GEN SHIBIRI responded he did not see him.

“My understanding here of this chat is he was asking me if Catha arrived, irrespective of how this English was framed. ...”

ADV Baloyi SC challenged General Shibiri's understanding, asserting that Sergeant Nkosi was informing him of Cat's arrival, not asking a question.

“It is not a question, General. He is reporting to you that Cat has arrived there. That is what he is telling you.”

Sergeant Nkosi reported to Lieutenant-General Shibiri that Cat had arrived at a certain location, which was understood as a confirmation rather than a question.

“He is reporting to you that Cat has arrived there. That is what he is telling you. Cat has arrived there. He is telling you that Cat is there”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri explained he understood Sergeant Nkosi's report about Cat's presence as a statement, not a question.

“That is how I took it.”

ADV Baloyi SC proposed that General Shibiri likely knew Mr Matlala intended to attend a function that evening and that Shibiri had communicated with Mr Matlala or Sergeant Nkosi regarding this.

“It is for you to say to me, you are wrong, this is in fact the correct story. That in fact, you knew he was going to be attending, Mr Matlala was going to be attending that evening... WhatsApp exchanges supports or accords with the proposition that I am making to you that you knew Mr Matlala was going to be there that evening either because you have spoken to him or you have spoken to Sergeant Nkosi.”

General Shibiri admitted he had a serious problem with the proposition that he knew Mr Matlala was attending that evening, stating he saw Matlala physically for the first time on the 14th and denying that he never communicated with him telephonically.

“I have a serious problem with this proposition actually because it seems whatever somebody is saying, it does not make sense always... I said I saw Matlala physically for the first time on the 14th. I did not say we never communicated telephonically.”

General Shibiri indicated knowledge in September that Mr Matlala had a contract with SAPS and that Mr Matlala had inquired about his travel because he was involved in contract work.

“That is when I knew he has got contract with SAPS because he said he is doing that... also, I did indicate that at the beginning of the year he indicated that he heard I am back in the office. He was there around our office.”

General Shibiri did not know that Cat invited Mr Matlala and informed the commission that he was invited by the General (himself) to attend, having communicated with Sergeant Nkosi beforehand and arrived around 7-8pm.

“So what I am saying is I did not know that Cat is invited, he will be there. I was invited by the General to be there. I have spoken to Nkosi earlier on asking me if I am coming... I arrived there around past seven to eight.”

General Shibiri described the seating arrangement at the event, noting Cat sat away from him and he never proposed any loan to Cat, only discussing an accident and his financial difficulties.

“He was not seated where I have seated... We talked about the accident and how I am going to get some money to do that because I do not have enough... And he offered. So, to the proposition that I knew that he would be there as if there was a pre-planned meeting with him, I was going to see him. This is what I am insinuating.”

General Shibiri denied that a Thanksgiving ceremony held at his homestead in Tzaneen on 20 September 2024 was a celebration of his promotion or funded by Mr Matlala.

“The Thanksgiving ceremony took place at my homestead in Tzaneen on 20 September 2024. It was not a party to celebrate my promotion and it was not funded by Mr Matlala.”

General Shibiri admitted that Mr Matlala deposited R800,000 into his account which he then angrily returned.

“Matlala deposited R800000 to my account, which I got angry and sent it back.”

Mr Matlala told that he gave General Shibiri R80000 as a loan that was returned in cash to limit a paper trail, paid through a company called Black AK10 Trading, in celebration of promotion to Major General.

“Mr Matlala told us that he gave General Shibiri R80000. The money was sent to him in celebration of his promotion to the rank of Major General. The funds were paid through a company called Black AK10 Trading. He explained that General Shibiri reversed the money back to him and requested that it be paid to him in cash in order to limit a paper trail.”

Mr Matlala was arrested in May 2025 and in an interview described that he sent money to General Shibiri, who called him directly and they communicated frequently.

“this is the recording of the interview that was held with Mr Matlala when he was arrested in May of 2025 ... Mr Matlala says: "DNC is severe." ... Mr Matlala: "General Shibiri." ... unknown female: "General Shibiri is calling you direct, and you call each other." ... Mr Matlala: "Yes, he called me even Friday."”

Mr Matlala stated he gave money in cash to General Shibiri using a business account to buy alcohol during a celebration in Tzaneen, not into General Shibiri's bank account directly.

“Mr Matlala: "He is also used to me a lot." ... unknown female 2: "And I saw an account number, a business account number going to him." ... Mr Matlala: "No, I give him cash." ... Mr Matlala: "He was celebrating that thing when he was General." ... Mr Matlala: "And then he went to somewhere in Tzaneen. It was not his account." ... Mr Matlala: "He gave me an account to say he wants to buy alcohol. I think I gave him something like 80 or 100000. I do not remember."”

General Shibiri confirms the payment of R70000 was made into his son's account on 18 September 2024, related to the celebration in Tzaneen, not directly to his own account.

“And the payment was made to your son of the R70000. When was that? ... 18 September 2024 ... Yes ... It was not to your account ... It was paid into your son's account ... That transaction is for the R70000 ... And the names were given to him, and for that reason ... The money was used for ... I sent it, I paid the money after three months.”

General Shibiri claims the money was a loan from Mr Matlala, not a payment for celebration, and Mr Matlala knew the money was transferred into his son's account.

“It was a loan to me ... Mr Matlala never refers ... he testified it was given to my son ... I become angry, immediately send it back ... I sent it, I paid the money after three months ... Mr Matlala knew that the account is for my son and I gave him that account in order for him to transfer the money to that account.”

Mr. Matlala gave a version about a loan after the event dates, in May 2025, when he was under arrest and being interviewed by investigators but did not classify it as a loan initially.

“when Mr Matlala gives the version before Ad Hoc about the loan ... It is May 2025, he has been arrested ... He is being interrogated or interviewed while he is being arrested ... He does not know the exact amount”

Mr. Matlala did not classify the money as a loan during interrogation, but only long after, possibly to benefit Lt-General Shibiri who had already classified it as a loan.

“when he is interrogated or interviewed ... he does not classify it as a loan. He classifies it as a loan long after. And he does that probably for your benefit because you have now classified it as a loan after the fact”

Lt-General Shibiri states that Mr. Matlala knew about his going to Tzaneen, including meeting two days before, and knew the money paid was for Shibiri's son, knowing the purpose and destination of the money.

“Matlala knew about me going to Tzaneen because we met two days before ... he knew that he paid the money to my son ... he heard the name of my son ... he knows where the money went ... he knows what was the money for”

Lt-General Shibiri denies the insinuation that Mr. Matlala did not know about the payment's details and suggests Matlala may have been coerced to give a misleading version.

“he may be deliberately misled them to say he paid how much and whatsoever because he was being coerced ... what you are insinuating to say he did not know ...”

Lt-General Shibiri rejects taking the statements as evidence because he considers them as coerced, choreographed and not properly obtained; but confirms giving bank statements of Mr Matlala depositing to his son.

“I am not going to take this as evidence ... something which is not taken proper, coerced ... but I gave you a bank statement showing Matlala depositing money to my son, which I gave to him ... he did not have it”

Mr. Matlala confirms that Lt-General Shibiri went to Tzaneen and that there's consistency that the money was related to a celebration two days before on 20 September.

“what he confirms ... is that you went somewhere in Tzaneen ... he also speaks about the issue of the celebration ... payment made two days before your celebration on the 20th of September ... he also knows about the celebration”

Lt-General Shibiri denies being in desperate need of cash and asserts that the money shown in his and his son's account covered payments for parts and luxury purchases, not repaying a loan.

“there is money which showed in my account or the account of my son ... money showing paying for parts and whatsoever ... suggest you were not in desperate need of cash ... enough funds in your bank accounts to even make these luxury purchases”

Lt-General Shibiri admits in early November 2024 he needed to sell some of his cattle to pay back money to Mr Matlala and confirms approximately R20,000 was received and paid back to Matlala.

“in early November 2024, you needed to sell some of your cattle to pay back money to Mr Matlala ... proceeds were approximately R20 000 ... that is what you paid to Mr Matlala”

Bank statement entries show a purchase at Gucci Sandton for R19,500 on 4 November 2024, indicating availability of funds and contradicting need to sell cattle for cash to pay Matlala.

“on the 4th of November 2024, there is a purchase at Gucci Sandton for R19500 ... you were not in desperate need of cash ... you had enough funds in your bank accounts to even make these luxury purchases”

Lt-General Shibiri admits purchasing a Zegna suit in 2023 on behalf of a friend who forgot his banking details and he paid the R53,000 for it, with the secretary later transferring the amount.

“On page 24 of the same bundle ... a friend who was buying a suit for a wedding of the son ... he forgot his banking details ... I did swipe for him the 53 ... and he sent it back ... it was in 2023 ... we were at Zegna ... Secretary transferred”

Lt-Gen Sibi made luxury purchases such as sneakers at Gucci Sandton and items at Louis Vuitton Sandton, despite having enough money in his bank account and not needing a loan.

“you had enough money in your bank account to make these luxury purchases, such that even after the purchase of Sneakers at Gucci Sandton, you were still left with 55000”

The luxury purchases at Gucci Sandton and Louis Vuitton Sandton occurred in the same month before Lt-Gen Sibi's salary reflected in the bank account.

“in the same month that you made the purchase at Gucci Sandton, you made another purchase at Louis Vuitton Sandton. But even after those two purchases, even before your salary reflects in your bank account, you are still left with 47900”

Lt-Gen Sibi explained that a Louis Vuitton sandal purchase was actually an exchange for a wallet that was originally a gift from a friend, with the difference paid by him, linked to his birthday party.

“I was buying sandals, and there are no sandals worth that amount in Louis Vuitton ... it was my birthday party ... I took the wallet to exchange it for the sandals, and I paid the difference of the 3300.”

Lt-Gen Sibi denied needing to sell cattle or repay a loan to Mr Matlala because his bank statements show sufficient funds.

“there was no need to sell your cattle to repay the loan to Mr Matlala”

Lt-Gen Sibi stated he planned to use money borrowed on loan to build something and intended to repay it in December 2023.

“I decided I wanted to use money to build something, I thought I must not use the money. The money which will be loaned to me, I will use it, and then I will pay it in December.”

ADV Segels-Ncube assured Lt-Gen Sibi the commission is not pushing a narrative and referenced a withdrawn allegation concerning Mr Musa Kawula and a WhatsApp message sent.

“we are not ... you will recall that ... you indicated your displeasure ... that you were not satisfied with the withdrawal of the allegation ... that you were the person that sent the WhatsApp message ...”

Lt-Gen Sibi confirmed he was not the person who sent the WhatsApp message that said 'tjommie' and that Mr Chaskalson apologized to him for the incorrect assertion.

“you are not the person that sent that message that said tjommie, and Mr Chaskalson did tender an apology to you regarding that.”

From very early on, Lt-Gen Sibi took to the role of detective naturally and is most comfortable in detective roles.

“from the start of your career, very early on, you seem to have taken to the role of detective quite naturally.”

Lt-Gen Sibi confirmed he accepted the role of detective as a badge of honour.

“I take it as an honour.”

Lt-Gen Sibi was the acting component head for organised crime from 18 December 2023.

“you were the acting component head from 18 December 2023 for organised crime.”

Lt-Gen Sibi confirmed that the role as acting component head for organised crime came about because General Sibiya was promoted to DNC and General Senthumele and General Sibiya approached him to take over.

“General Sibiya and General Senthumele had approached you to take over, to find out if you are interested in that role because they did not have a head in organised crime because General Sibiya had been promoted to DNC.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri occupied a national role as a permanent position since May 2024.

“And then sometime in May, 1 May 2024, you then occupied it as a permanent position.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri was trying to contact General Mbuso Khumalo regarding information from a source related to the Swart investigation, but did not have a follow-up conversation about the threats involved.

“I was trying to relay that information I got from the source to him so that he can take appropriate step ... And then it did not happen that he came back to me. Then I went to the person responsible for organised crime... Brigadier Gopane... No. ... No.”

General Mbuso Khumalo is a deputy provincial commissioner responsible for crime detection and all those components fall under him.

“He is a deputy provincial commissioner responsible for crime detection. So, all those components fall under him.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri's role as a component head at the time was supervisory and not direct involvement in investigations.

“Yes.”

The crime intelligence is a separate division from the division detective service, and crime intelligence on a monthly basis develops crime threat analysis including indications of criminal groupings and syndicates.

“No, from the division detective service, we do not have intelligence. The intelligence is a division on itself. So as I was indicating, on a monthly basis, the crime intelligence will develop the crime threat analysis ... a criminal grouping in a certain area ...”

In the Murray murder investigation, a complaint by the family about lack of progress was sent to the office of the Deputy National Commissioner, General Sibiya, who then assigned Lt-Gen Shibiri and the team to investigate with meetings every three weeks.

“The complaint was sent to the office of the Deputy National Commissioner... then the Deputy National Commissioner reigned me with the team ... we agreed that we give them a chance to investigate for three weeks and after every three weeks we will meet ...”

Prior to the involvement triggered by the source information, Lt-Gen Shibiri was not involved nor informed of the Swart murder investigation.

“No, I was not involved and I was not informed either, I did not know about it.”

The threat also involved intended bribery related to the murder case.

“when I told her about the threat and that there is intended bribery, she told me that no, about this case, there was a drama in court and I had to send my TRT, the TRT and my tracking team to go and assist in transporting the members.”

There was a threat against investigators investigating a murder case where a white person was killed, and one of three suspects arrested is a police officer.

“I have got information about a threat against your investigators investigating a case of murder whereby a white person was killed, I did not have the details and three suspects were arrested, one of the suspects is a police officer.”

General Mbuso Khumalo was not informed directly but Brigadier Gopane was informed about the intended bribery and threats.

“You spoke to Brigadier Gopane, but you only informed her about the intended bribery or the attempted bribery and about the threats.”

There was no information about contract killers involved in the murder case threat.

“None of the information about it being contract killers or anything like that? No.”

The arrested suspects for the Maswanganyi murder included a police officer but no hit orderers were arrested; investigation ongoing.

“There was also a police officer that was arrested.”

Four of six suspects in the Maswanganyi murder case were sentenced, with three imprisoned for life and one released; two suspects had charges withdrawn.

“We finished the case at the High Court by sentencing those four. Out of six we sentenced four. One became one of five there. The other three were sentenced for life. And the other two met who were withdrawn against them.”

Due to threats received, L T - Genshibiri and his team had to operate from a safe house for security reasons.

“... you had to go into a safe house due to the threats that you had received ... That is correct. After threat analysis and ... everything is as a safehouse ...”

Lieutenant General Shibiri has never been personally offered a bribe but acknowledges risks of working with compromised officers who may try to manipulate investigations.

“No, I was not offered personal... Mine was not a serious one, was a robbery case where I was offered a bribe. And I ended up arresting that person who was not this one... I never experienced such a thing... I never experienced it. I am not saying it is not possible, but I never experienced that and it is right.”

There was an attempt through other people to bribe Lieutenant General Shibiri and hired people to eliminate them, but these people were arrested, including police officers, though the matter was withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.

“Actually, there was attempt through other people. And they could not reach us because we were so close. And there were people hired to come and eliminate us. And because we formed another team to counter the threat. And those people were arrested. And only to find there were police officers also those people. But matter was due to insufficient evidence was end up being withdrawn.”

Lieutenant General Shibiri had not been personally offered a bribe in the murder matter, but cited a case of a prosecutor offered a bribe of 100,000 who remains under witness protection and police arrested the people involved.

“No, I was not offered personal. But there is a case which I cited of a prosecutor. Where a police officer is still under witness protection for the past four years. Where he was offered a bribe of 100000. And the prosecutor and those other police were arrested or other people.”

Public procurement plays a role in financing criminal syndicates that attempt to infiltrate the criminal justice system.

“Where public procurement plays a role in financing the criminal syndicates. That attempt or try to infiltrate the criminal justice system.”

Compromised officers might test an investigating officer's susceptibility to bribes by hinting at bail opposition or hiding evidence in exchange for money.

“Could you have a situation where the compromised officer tests whether the investigating officer is susceptible to a bribe by saying, I heard that there is a bribe out there if you are willing not to oppose bail or if you are willing to hide evidence.”

Lieutenant General Shibiri describes a scenario where compromised officers try to work with a person to either lure them to meet perpetrators or befriend them to compromise or capture them.

“What I have experienced is they will try to work with the person, either to lure him to meet with the perpetrators, to befriend them in order for them to be captured or to be compromised.”

Majority of police officers are not corrupt and do their best, making overt bribery attempts difficult especially if the officers do not know each other.

“I believe the majority of police officers are not corrupt out there, and they are doing their level best... When they do not know each other, I do not see it being easy to happen... I do not see that being so easy, but it never happened.”

There are direct and covert ways of bribery; direct involves knowing and trusting the person, promising money to lose a docket; covert involves cultivating trust over time and then suggesting a bribe is available.

“If you know the person, you trust the person... So, you will say to them, listen, so and so told me that there is R1000 available for you if you just lose the docket. That is direct... You can have indirect, like, is that not covert? A covert operation where you endear yourself with the person, showing interest in their safety, showing interest in what is happening with them, and then at some points say there is an informer that told me that there is a bribe available.”

A compromised police officer may try to endear themselves to an investigating officer, showing concern for safety and trying to gain information.

“A cover operation where you endear yourself with the person, showing interest in their safety, showing interest in what is happening with them, and then at some point say there is an informer that told me that there is a bribe available.”

Cultivation involves sending someone to befriend people to gain trust and then propose something later without appearing sinister, to infiltrate and influence.

“I tried to describe previously, to say what is cultivation, taking it from our side, when you cultivate an agent. Someanig you send somebody to go and befriend these people, work with these people, they gain trust on you, and then for future use, or for planned things which are still coming, or for the exact thing which is happening, and then on the later stage, you can be in the able position to propose something to them. So, the cultivation is about that. Sending somebody in, and then that person works with the people, goes out with the people, gain trust from those people.”

Cultivation is used to infiltrate and work within enemy groups, as in the example of Maswanganyi where people who were supposed to eliminate them were sent to work with them.

“because even in that case of Maswanganyi, the people who were supposed to eliminate us, some were sent to work with us.”

Cultivation happened in OR Tambo Airport with the Nigerian group proposing to new constables to cultivate them to gain narcotics investigation information.

“in OR Tambo Airport in Kempton Park, we had a similar thing whereby the Nigerian will propose to the new constables, and then cultivate them to those people who are investigating the narcotics so that they have information”

Infiltration happens by recruiting members inside or sending members from outside to be inside individually; it is not a capture of the whole police.

“it is by recruitment of members inside, or you send members from outside to be within the inside as individual members, and it is not happening like as a whole capture of the whole police”

Accused are considered dangerous contract killers and there were alleged attempts to bribe investigators, prosecutors, and/or the magistrate to get them out on bail.

“I informed them that the accused were considered dangerous contract killers and that there were alleged attempts to bribe investigators, prosecutors, and/or the magistrate.”

The information about bribe attempts came from a source alleging a lawyer was given a bag full of money to approach investigators and others to get the accused out on bail.

“the information was, remember, the attorney is already given a bag full of money. We must approach the investigators. If he fails, the prosecutors or the magistrate, because that is how disparate they showed that they want these people out on bail.”

General Shibiri warned investigators that suspects were planning to bring a bag full of money to bribe them to be freed and if they do not take the bribe, a hit is coming for them.

“General Shibiri informed us that he got the information that the suspects are planning to bring a bag full of money for us so that they can be freed failing which a hit is coming for us.”

Lt. Gen. Shibiri confirmed he did tell investigators about a bribe being brought and threats if the bribe was rejected, including that suspects are hitmen who will continue threats regardless of bribe acceptance.

“I said there will be a bribe brought to you and consequently when you do not take the bribe there will be a threat to you because these people are hitmen and even if you take the money still there will be still a threat against you.”

Lt. Gen. Shibiri said the solution to the threat is working from a safehouse under protection to win the case.

“the solution is you enjoy this then we have a threat analysis. If possible, you work from the safehouse under protection that is how you can win this thing.”

The signed statement of Sergeant Ndlela dated 8 July 2025 was disclosed only after the handwritten version was disclosed, which is seen as convenient and possibly influenced.

“this is the signed statement of Sergeant Ndlela , which is dated the 8th of July 2025 , which is the statement that you say the Commission , it is very convenient that we only disclose this version of the affidavit after you disclose the handwritten version on the 10th July statement”

The statement of Sergeant Ndlela was prepared by members who are investigating but are not friendly with Lt-Gen Shibiri and brought to him to sign, indicating it must be similar to that of Witness A.

“It was made by those who are investigating and then brought it to him to sign and indicated it must be similar to that one of Witness A”

Lt-Gen Shibiri acknowledges a conversation where he said the case was sensitive and that people linked to suspects wanted to give a bag of money and would kill if the bribe was not taken.

“General Shibiri then informed us that the case was very sensitive and further that the people who are linked to the suspects , they want to give us a bag of money and that if we do not take that money these people will kill us”

Lt-Gen Shibiri did not use the phrase 'flying envelopes' to describe bribes; he said it differently about a bag full of money given to an attorney to bribe the investigator, magistrate, or prosecutor.

“the big thing , flying envelopes which I never uttered ... I talked about a bag full of money given to an attorney who must bribe the investigator or the magistrate or the , what you call , the prosecutor”

Lt-Gen Shibiri says he expressly cautioned officers not to accept the bribe, although none of the officers say he did so.

“you said that you expressly cautioned them not to accept the bribe ... Very much sure ... in these sense that I even indicated , even if you were to take the bribe ...”

Neither Sergeant Ndlela nor other police officers say that Lt-Gen Shibiri expressly cautioned them not to take the bribe.

“none of them say that you cautioned them not to take the bribe ... Even Sergeant Ndlela , who you hang your hat on , he does not say that either”

Lt-Gen Shibiri agrees he did not tell officers not to take the bribe and comments on the oddity of all officers saying one thing possibly due to influence.

“I indicate I did not tell them that ... if every you are influenced in another way for certain purposes , then they will say the same thing”

Witnesses A and B were confused about Lieutenant-General Shibiri's motives because he operated in a 'grey area' by mentioning a bribe without explicitly telling them to take it, causing uncertainty.

“Witness A and Witness B left that meeting very confused about your motives. Because you were operating in the grey area. Because you were not express about the bribe. You were suggesting to them that there is something available if they were susceptible to it. That is what they understood.”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri denies wanting the officers to take the bribe, only stating that if they refuse the bribe, they might be killed.

“I do not know where they are indicating that I wanted them to take the bribe. Except where they are indicating that if they do not take the bribe, these people are going to kill them.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri states that police officers from Organised Crime would be aware if a bribe was involved and that sharing the name of the person expected to bring the bribe is part of an entrapment strategy.

“If you talk about bribe, as police officers from organised crime, they will be on the know. And I told them the person who is coming and then who will be possibly coming, so that they know. And then from there, entrapment can be made to arrest such person.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri explained that he informed Colonel Ndlela to request a threat analysis and plan protection for those involved, to clarify the situation following confusion about the bribe discussion.

“I already told Colonel Ndlela to request for the threat analysis. And then enquiry will be opened to do the investigating on the threat. And then they will get protection. So, that is what I explained to them there.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri says he will not influence any officers to take a bribe as the procedure must be followed and an enquiry opened on any alleged attempts.

“No, I will not influence that because the procedure is what I am telling you. I said alleged an attempt. And you asked me about that. And I explained about the enquiry to be opened.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri denies instructing anyone to take the bribe, explaining that providing information about a bribe is part of grey area investigation work but they do not explicitly tell officers to take it.

“I am not saying that you told them to take the money. I am saying it is a grey area for them as the investigators. That is what I am saying to you. You are not expressly saying take the bribe. You are saying to them, there is a bribe available.”

Entrapment is a common procedure in investigations of organised crime and Lt-Gen Shibiri claims experience dealing with it.

“And this thing of entrapment, we deal with it on a daily basis. And for me, I took it they understood.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri informed investigators about the names of persons present at court who might know suspects to facilitate the investigation and confirmation of information received from a source.

“The people I told them the names, which I thought they might know, is that one which I was told by the source to say there is a Zungu from Toms, there is a Johnny from JMPD, an unknown lady from Johannesburg. Because they were there at court, I thought they might have seen them and know them and confirmed the information to me.”

The informer in crime intelligence is protected by secrecy to avoid their lives being endangered.

“Because your informer is your informer. You cannot tell everybody. Tomorrow he is killed. You do not know who you are telling.”

Advice was given to use safe houses and protection measures beyond escorting from home to work for informers.

“I also suggested the issue of the safe house... if they come near to me, they will come near to my children... stay safe... It will not take long until the case is finished.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri never intended to disclose the identity of the source, only the handler and co-handler knew who the source was.

“No, as a source is known to the handler and the co-handler... only the commander will know because he inspects the file quarterly... you will not have a source any more. Then you will have a dead source.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri stated that sources may choose to remain anonymous or be registered and paid, and the sharing of source identity is tightly controlled to protect lives.

“Some want to give you information and stay away, some want to give you information and be registered and be paid...”

Risk assessment is conducted by crime intelligence and those sources who want to work with crime intelligence have their information shared with specific individuals.

“Crime intelligence was supposed to conduct a risk assessment... I handed over the sources because the sources wanted to work with those people... If they are willing to work with them, then I will.”

Adv Khumalo SC challenged Lt-Gen Shibiri that despite different versions about payment method, the money for the Thanksgiving event was available in his cheque account.

“You started by saying you used your ABSA cheque account... You then said, oh no, it is in the linked credit card... You are now saying it was cash contributions from members of the family... So that money was all available to you to be used to repair the vehicle.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri admitted incorrectly stating he used a credit card for a purchase which was actually paid in cash by family members.

“I apologize to have indicated that I used my credit card, because I solely believed that I used one of my card... we did not use a card, we used cash, which was contribution from my brothers and everybody who was there to go and buy the cold drinks and beers.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri informed the commander and investigating officers about information from the source related to attempts to influence the investigation.

“I informed the Commander. Number two, I informed the investigating officers concerned... And three, I requested that the Commander conduct the TRA and provide security to the members.”

A threat risk assessment was requested to verify information and assess security risks for members.

“The Commander write a letter to the Head requesting threat risk assessment to verify the information and to assess the severity of the risk.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri said the source gave information to assist the investigation and that their veracity was supposed to be tested via threat risk assessments and further investigation.

“The source gave information to assist the investigation. That is where I said the veracity of the information was supposed to be done through threat risk assessment to confirm whatever was said, is it true or not”

ADV SEGEELS-NCUBE alleged that the source told him it was a contract killing and that there is a hit order behind the scenes, but the identity of the source was not disclosed to anyone.

“you have just informed the investigators that your source told you that this is a contract killing, that there is a hit order behind the scene and, but you do not disclose the identity of the source to anyone”

Lt-Gen Shibiri contacted Section Head of Ballistic, Brigadier Mkhabela, to prioritize getting ballistic reports and linkages before the next court date for the investigation.

“contact the Section Head of Ballistic, Brigadier Mkhabela, and indicate to him that there is this case which need to be prioritized and we need it to be prioritized in terms of getting ballistic report and linkages before the next court date”

Lt-Gen Shibiri followed up with Brigadier Mkhabela and Brigadier Ntuli from Crime Intelligence regarding the drafting of the request for ballistic reports, confirming investigation ongoing and cooperation.

“called the Brigadier where she indicated in the morning, indicated that she is with Brigadier Ntuli from Crime Intelligence, who is responsible for, not cyber, counter. And then he is assisting her with the drafting of the request ... once when I met with some of the investigators, they indicated they were fine”

Lt-Gen Shibiri did not know the identity of the hit orderer behind the contract killers despite asking the source.

“They told me suspects are contract killers. They did not tell me who contracted them. Yes, I asked to say who contracted them. I said if you follow up these other people, then you will find out. So I do not know if he was afraid to say out to me to say, yes, this person contracted this and so forth”

Source told that weapons or hitmen were linked to other murder cases.

“he indicated the weapons were linked with other cases ... Other murder cases”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI concluded that there was concern that someone within forensic services could potentially interfere with ballistic evidence.

“And that there was concern that someone within forensic services could potentially interfere with ballistic evidence.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri did not inform the section head about the potential that someone within the division or section may be compromised.

“No, I did not. Why not? As I said, it was still information to be verified and I cannot alert the people who is doing that.”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI called the ballistic section head to fast track the ballistic report processing and indicated it must be prioritized.

“You call the section, did you say the Section Head? ... For ballistics ... yes ... to prioritize and allocate to someone special.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri explained that the case manager allocates ballistics cases at different stations and provinces and suspects compromising the forensic evidence would mean altering information which would be detectable.

“Ballistics has got too much people and they have got thousands of cases. In order for somebody to compromise this, meaning there must be somebody, because there is case manager who is allocating. You do not allocate the case for yourself. And it is different stations, different provinces ... The only thing to confirm and see is when we receive the report and then we will followup based on that ... The only worst scenario I was thinking, I am not saying it ever happened, but I was thinking, if somebody who can maybe have another rifle and exchange the mechanisms so that it cannot match, but if you go and change the numbers, it is easy for us to detect ... But you needed something to verify, to see if ever there is manipulation, and then you can continued doing that. It is an ongoing investigation.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri stated that files are opened and locked with keys, case investigators allocated, so risk of forgery exists but is monitored.

“Exhibit when it is received, it is filed ... locked ... investigator is allocated, meaning there will be the person who has having the keys storage and the person who has going to do the investigation to go and open ... the only worst scenario I was thinking ... if somebody ... change the numbers ... it is easy for us to detect”

Lt-Gen Shibiri said the Crime Intelligence opened the investigative file and promised to prioritize the ballistic report.

“That file which is opened by Crime Intelligence is part of the investigating of the whole ... Then he promised to prioritize ... assign a specific person to deal with it so that he get the result in timely as we have requested.”

In May 2024, information was possessed about a contract killing and ballistic report errors which linked firearms to multiple murders, known at that time.

“everything that you tell the investigators in May of 2024 come to fruition later on in the year, because we know that there is an error on the ballistic report. We find out that it is a contract killing. We find out that there is 10 connections, all these connections with the firearms to different murders.”

The Component Head of Organized Crime did not intervene in the contract killing investigation despite being informed of the dangerous situation.

“somebody who is the Component Head of Organized Crime... would not see the need here to intervene at that level to say we are dealing with something here... I have been informed that this is a dangerous situation.”

Investigators working on the contract killing case were under threat but steps were taken or suggested to ensure their safety.

“the investigators are under threat. I understand you take the steps to ensure or make suggestions that they be placed into safety.”

Investigation operates on a command chain where the General advises investigators and provides necessary tools and information for arrests.

“If I tell the Commander to say this is the danger... Crime Intelligence must follow on this and it is how all these big fishes you see arrested, it is happening, it is not the General who has coming out there running around, it is the General advising, giving them the necessary tool, giving them the necessary information.”

There was an issue with errors in the ballistic report prepared on the Swart murder case, confirmed by Lt-Gen Shibiri.

“There was issue with the ballistics in the Swart murder, that there was errors on the report that was prepared? Exactly.”

The speaker states they did their part in providing information and did not go further than handing over info for investigation, but were excluded from further consultation without explanation.

“I have done my part. I intend there. I did not do anything further and I end there... I was isolated, not consulted for the reason known by them, but now I must come nowhere and explain the reason why I was excluded, whereas I started this.”

The speaker informed investigators about critical information needing verification but was not responsible for verifying the info themselves.

“I informed them that there is this information which needed to be verified. Did they verify with CI and everybody?... I was not responsible for going and checking those dockets and so forth.”

The operation discussed is a provincial operation while the speaker is in a national position, explaining unusual involvement.

“You are at national and this is a provincial operation ... your involvement was unusual”

LT-GEN SHIBIRI often communicates with Provincial Heads (Brigadiers) when there is an imminent situation to coordinate investigation support and deployment.

“I communicate with the Provincial Heads, being Brigadiers if there is imminent thing.”

National SAPS structures and command chains are governed by national instructions such as 12/2017, including organized crime components under Divisional Commissioner.

“There is a national instruction called 12/2017. It calls detective policy... under the detective, there is a DNC... then under the Div Com, there is Components Head. Myself Organized Crime...”

Lt-General Shibiri describes a process of receiving and forwarding crime investigation dockets, coordinating with investigators, commanders, and special forces for operational action.

“I will call the investigator to come with the docket, read the docket, give directives and give a broad forward and make sure it is done and then, and tell the Commander, the Commander that follow up on this, there is this and that and that, is it done.”

Lt-General Shibiri states that sometimes they receive information about imminent crimes (e.g. robberies, firearm-related incidents) and prepare operational plans in coordination with other law enforcement units, but some investigations get postponed.

“Sometimes I will have information and say, they say they are going to do this and that and that and then people are coming to rob and they are getting firearms. Then I will phone special forces and phone the Commander to the other side and say, hey, let us meet. Let us meet. We reconnaissance and then we go and wait for those people or in order to stop that. It will depend from crime to crime. This was an investigation and it was a planned thing which ought to happen. And during the time we were speaking, already the matter is postponed.”

Lt-General Shibiri explains that usually he performs formal written notifications after meetings, but in the specific instance he failed to do so, which he regrets.

“Usually I have done so, there has never been a mistake. Everything was carried out to the letter. So that is where maybe I can say I made a mistake. I should have made it formal after meeting them, informing them and then sent a correspondence.”

Lt-General Shibiri admits to not having formally documented certain concerns by letter to higher authorities (DPC and PC), calling this an 'error' on his part in oversight and communication in monitoring investigations.

“Maybe my mistake was, I should have after briefing everybody, wrote a letter to the DPC through the PC, signed by my DivCom to indicate that I reported this, they must monitor. That is where maybe I can say I made a mistake.”

Lt-General Shibiri admits that he also could have informed the SPP of Vereeniging earlier but chose to let risk assessments be completed before doing so, considering it his own fault not sending a letter sooner.

“Maybe I could also phoned her and informed her, but I said let me not jump the gun, let them do the risk assessment and confirm the information and do the right thing. So yes, that is where maybe I can blame myself, not writing a letter.”

Lt-General Shibiri states he provided full and limited information to Brigadiers Gopane and Mokoena respectively, and that proper protocols require written letters signed off by DPC and PC for threat risk assessments and follow up actions.

“Number one, I said I had spoken to Brigadier Gopane and I indicated that I gave you limited information. And then she referred me to Brigadier Mokoena. I gave him full information. And then I met with the members. I gave them full information, and the members went back to Colonel Mokoena and gave him full information. And I remember somewhere they indicated Colonel Mokoena made them sign the threat risk assessment forms. But my understanding is... I write a letter as a Component Head to be signed off by the DPC to the PC and to the Provincial Head, being General Lekalakala.”

Lt-General Shibiri confirms that there was sufficient communication to ensure threat risk assessments and possible safe house arrangements, which require authorization from the DivCom and appropriate funding processes.

“I was happy because the Brigadier Nthuli is knowledgeable, is dealing with that. So that is, I believe there was sufficient communication to ensure that this happened, hence, I was convinced that even for them to go to the safe house is because of that. Because let me tell you, Commissioners, provinces do not provide safe houses... then they will communicate with the DivCom at the head office to say, because it is under secret fund, that we need this type of services... There must be a project registered in order to do the funding...”

Lt-General Shibiri states the person known as 'Vusi Ndlala' is not the actual Vusi Ndlala but Vusi Makhubela, and that Ndlala is the hotel owner and half-brother of Makhubela.

“Vusi Ndlala whom you call Vusi Ndlala is not Vusi Ndlala. He is Vusi Makhubela and Ndlala is the owner of the hotel. It is his half-brother.”

Lt-General Shibiri confirms presence at a gathering with Vusi Ndlala and denies that it was a party, emphasizing it was a private and legitimate meeting among senior police officers in a private villa and spa.

“You acknowledged that the meeting you were there, you say it was not a party... I happened to go there, not on invitation, because it is a villa and spa... And we used to go there and entertain ourselves. It is a private place. For us, it was private as police officers, more special as seniors, because we did not, we were...”

There was an outcry about the kidnapping of Chinese people, leading to a meeting at a Chinese restaurant involving the DNC, General Senthumule, Chinese Embassy people, and new police officers.

“there was an outcry about kidnapping of the Chinese . So , we had the meeting there and lunch . After that , I phoned Vusi Makhubela who happened to be known to me , and we were close .”

LT-GENS HIBIRI stated that to investigate wrongdoing or arrest people, there must be evidence and proper inquiry opened.

“I indicate that I cannot just call people without evidence and then start accusing people , and it is not how you investigate and how you will arrest people . I indicate the TR need to happen , inquiry opened , and proper investigation be done .”

LT-GENS HIBIRI did not know Witness A was at the gathering until introduced to him there on 25 May 2024.

“I did not know about the party , and I could not have known that there will be a party because I was not invited . I invited myself there that day .”

Witness B was not susceptible to bribery attempts related to the Swart investigation following the 16 May 2024 meeting.

“from the conversation that was had at the 16 May meeting , it became apparent that Witness B was not susceptible at all . She was very firm .”

Witness A invited himself to a gathering at a private lounge on 25 May 2024; he was not invited and was unaware of any party there.

“I was not invited . I invited myself there that day .”

LT-GENS HIBIRI knew Vusi Ndlala from that day and previously did not know him.

“I now know , I did not know by that day .”

LT-GENS HIBIRI was surprised by the presence of certain people at the private lounge gathering on 25 May 2024 and joked with Vusi that he was opening a police station, as the arrangement was for prior phone calls to avoid crowding for privacy.

“I was surprised , why are they there . And then , and I did not want to make them feel otherwise whatsoever , and I ask Vusi , jokingly , you did not tell me you are opening a police station here because I knew our arrangement is when we are coming there , we will phone , and it will be us friends , not when there is too much people , because we were trying to keep our privacy . Then , he said , no , this is my boys”

LT-GENS HIBIRI said the place used for gatherings is a business, where police officers must phone ahead to book a private area for senior-only gatherings; phoning Vusi was not part of this arrangement but an individual action when seeing him.

“it is a business . We phone . We phone when we get there . We were given that allowance to say , if we want to come ourselves and book and sit as us , we can do so , but prior phoning . But that time I phoned him to say he is there . I was passing by seeing him . It was not that arrangement .”

Witness A felt the introduction of junior police officers at the gathering was an attempt to test whether Witness A would be susceptible to bribery, as the 16 May 2024 meeting indicated Witness B was not susceptible.

“in his mind , it appears to him that this is another attempt to see whether he will be susceptible to receiving a bribe . That is how he perceives it .”

There is a protocol that Vusi knows about the private place used for gatherings and the rule that it is only for senior police officers, and Vusi introduced two junior police officers to LT-GENS HIBIRI despite knowing this.

“there is clearly a protocol . Vusi knows what your rule is .”

Lt. General Shibiri asserts it is silly for a witness to think that just because he was invited to a place, he must have been there under suspicious circumstances.

“I will start by answering this one, that that is silly for that witness to think what he thought because he visited a place invited by somebody.”

Witness A is confused about the meaning and motives behind a meeting involving Lt. General Shibiri and others, and the presence of envelopes or money suggests suspicion.

“Witness A is confused about what the meeting meant. He is confused about your motives...He gets the invitation. He goes there...If he thinks that Vusi Ndlala is your source, it makes perfect sense that you are there.”

Lt. General Shibiri states he never told Vusi Ndlala about Tau’s bail and that they never discussed it.

“The issue of Vusi Ndlala, of me telling Vusi Makhubela about the bail, it is not true. It is not true. I never told Vusi and we never discussed that thing of them.”

Lt. General Shibiri denies knowing or having a relationship with Vusi Ndlala and says it is silly to assume Vusi was his source for information.

“I wrote the name, I wrote the cellphone, I will give it to you and then you can go and confirm your own way...But my source is not Vusi Ndlala. I indicated he was working with the police...But I am still maintaining that is silly...My source is not Vusi Ndlala.”

Witness A and Sergeant Ndlala were told by their commander, who is Lt. General Shibiri, that he wanted to see them and warned them of money circulating and to be careful.

“You have witness A who says you called them. They were told by their Commander, their immediate superior, that you want to see them...You tell them that there is a bag of money that is going around. You tell them to be careful...You have already said that someone is trying to thwart or to undermine the investigation.”

Lt. General Shibiri states he met Vusi Ndlala before in Crime Intelligence but does not want to be involved in revealing the details or testifying about it.

“He was working with the police and when I met him he was sourced somewhere at Crime Intelligence some other time back and I do not want to be involved in that and I do not want to testify about that because it is not...it is totally not okay to divulge such information. It is not allowed.”

Presence of Lt. General Shibiri with Witness A and Vusi Ndlala at an event was likely a coincidence and all said to be innocent.

“I think what you are being asked to comment on without passing judgment about it is that you have witness A who says you called them...It may well have been a coincidence that you happened to be there and your presence there is all innocent.”

LT-GEN Shibiri denies having any fact or basis for suspicion regarding a meeting and states that any contrary view is wrong and silly.

“Ja, it is tiring, and there is no fact.”

LT-GEN Shibiri explains he was at the meeting on his business and did not know the others were invited by a friend, and that he informed them of what he knew.

“I am there on my business, which they do not even know. And then I call them on an official duty whereby I inform them what I informed.”

LT-GEN Shibiri states he was trying to save a life and assist people and that he finds answering theories he does not understand wearing on him.

“Really, it is wearing on me and I even think, why did I pass this information? I was trying to save life and assist the people.”

LT-GEN Shibiri denies knowing Tau or having any interest in Tau's bail or case, stating his interest was in the investigator's safety and case progress.

“I do not know Tau and I did not have interest in Tau bail or getting bail or whatever. What I had interest was the investigators being safe and the case going forward.”

LT-GEN Shibiri recalls a call on 16 December 2024 between himself and Witness A but states he was not comfortable with that call.

“That is the one which I was not comfortable with.”

LT-GEN Shibiri claims to have reasons for not recalling certain details and fears for his livelihood if he were to disclose certain names on the platform.

“...I even indicating, am I allowed to recall these names in this platform, because that would be endangering my livelihood and that is what I said even that day.”

LT-GEN Shibiri partially accepts and partially rejects Witness A's version of the 16 December 2024 call, stating some parts are correct and some are incorrect, including disagreement whether the discussion was telephonic or in camera.

“What I indicated, some are very correct, some are related to what they are saying. So if I say I agree to everything, then it will be like all what was indicated to be said there, I agree with it, and some are not the correct version.”

Witness A submitted a witness statement to the Commission on 9 October 2025 and gave evidence regarding the Swart murder and related events in 2024 and 2025.

“On 9 October 2025, I submitted a witness statement to the Commission wherein I am identified as Witness A, and on 20 and 21 October 2025, I gave evidence before the Commission regarding my involvement in the Swart murder and events that transpired during 2024 and 2025.”

Witness A states that one of the events he dealt with was a telephone call with Major General Richard Shibiri on 16 December 2024, detailed in paragraphs 93 to 97 of his first witness statement.

“One of the events that I dealt with was a telephone call that I had with Major General Richard Shibiri on 16 December 2024, as set out in paragraphs 93 to 97 of my first witness statement.”

The arrest of Mr Katiso Molefe on 6 December 2024 made Witness B and the speaker more suspicious about inquiries related to the Swart murder case, especially about Mr Molefe's arrest.

“the arrest of Mr Katiso Molefe on 6 December 2024 made us more suspicious of those who would enquire about the Swart murder case, and in particular, Mr Molefe's arrest”

Witness B recorded a telephone conversation with General Shibiri using her cellphone without initially intending to disclose the recording publicly.

“at some point during the telephone conversation with General Shibiri, Witness B recorded the conversation using her cellphone. I had no intention of disclosing this recording publicly”

The call with General Shibiri was initially not recorded on speaker, causing the voice quality to be unclear at the beginning of the recording.

“When the call with General Shibiri started, the phone was not on speaker... at the beginning of the recording, General Shibiri's voice is not as clear because the call is not on speaker”

Witness B and the speaker initially had no intention of recording the call with General Shibiri, but decided to record once General Shibiri mentioned being invited to General Sibiya’s birthday celebration.

“When General Shibiri called, Witness B and I had no intention of recording the call... but at some point, General Shibiri mentioned that he had been invited to General Sibiya’s plot for a birthday celebration. At that moment, we decided to record the call”

The speaker was reluctant to disclose the recording publicly but decided to disclose it after General Shibiri denied the speaker’s version of the call during evidence on 4 March 2026, to maintain credibility.

“Now that he has denied my version and effectively placed my credibility in doubt... I have no option but to disclose the recording publicly. I do so reluctantly... I gave the Commission's evidence leader permission to disclose the recording... to General Shibiri and the Commissioners and to play it during the public hearing”

Although reluctant, the speaker is willing to disclose the recording publicly since General Shibiri disputed the call content, which affects the speaker’s credibility and evidence already given to the Commission.

“My reluctance to disclose the recording publicly must not be seen as me being forced to disclose the recording. I do so willingly, although I would have preferred for General Shibiri not to dispute the contents of the call and avoid the need for disclosure”

There is concern that the General, who heads organized crime in the country, is fearful to mention certain names of people within organized crime and the DPCI/Hawks, which is concerning for the fight against organized crime.

“It is quite concerning that people who head organized crime should be so fearful of people who are alleged to be or are said to be within the organized crime”

Lt-Gen Shibiri denies being invited to General Sibiya's birthday celebration at the farm, stating he was invited to a Thanksgiving event instead.

“I told him that I am invited to be at the farm. It was not a birthday celebration, it was Thanksgiving.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri said he denied that one reason for not going to the farm was to avoid giving feedback about the Molefe case; the real reason was ill health.

“No, it was not the reason. The reason was my ill health, hence I phoned him to get more information because I knew on the 18th I was going back to work.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri indicated on 7 December he received a call about complaints concerning the family of Mr Katiso Molefe not knowing where he was detained and phoned around Gauteng for information.

“On the 7th I received a call to indicate that the family of Molefe is complaining about not knowing where was he detained, and I phoned around in Gauteng”

Lt-Gen Shibiri said he denied going to the farm due to ill health and did not want dust to get into his eyes after an operation.

“I did not go there because of ill health, because I did not want dust to get into my eyes. It was still fresh from the operation.”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri stated that 'the otherside' refers to police aligned with General Sibiya and his own group, not General Sibiya himself.

“The other side is the police who are with him on the other side and his own grouping.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri acknowledged there is a grouping within the police, describing it as 'other side' different from himself.

“We indicated there is grouping in the police.”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri indicated knowledge that the suspect was working and was business partners with Mswazi and five other people, related to their behaviour after the arrest.

“I discovered that he was working, he was business partners with Mswazi and the other five people and that is what I was hearing with him, because I was knowing he is at the safe house.”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri was phoned by General Sibiya to establish the detention status of a detainee unknown to the family.

“I was phoned by the General to say he received a complaint that the family does not know where the suspect has been detained and I must establish the detention status.”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri said he first reported to General Sibiya on 7 December that the lawyers have been informed about the detention status.

“You first reported to General Sibiya on the 7th of December, where you told him that the lawyers have been told. You gave him that report.”

Lieutenant-General Shibiri stated that the detained person's lawyers have been informed and that it cannot be 'the otherside' since it must be the family, although there is division within the police.

“What I know for a fact is the family had interest. But yes, I know he has got police who are close to him, including myself. I am quoted to be one who is close to him. But it was me who was supposed to report. So I said maybe the other side might be the police or the family.”

Lt-General Shibiri initially said the other side was one faction within SAPS but later changed to say it was the family, indicating he was not truthful.

“So, when you said it was his side of the SAPS faction, you were lying to the Commission.”

Lt-General Shibiri initially said he would not mention names referring to the other side as the family, but later clarified he meant the police side, causing confusion.

“When you said that you would not mention the people on this other side, did you mean it was the family you would not mention? ... No, I was meaning on the side of the police.”

Lt-General Shibiri conceded that he lied to the Commission about the faction being part of SAPS and that there should be consequences.

“So I must take it that you have lied to this Commission and consequences should flow from that? ... Ja, let me concede like that.”

Lt-General Shibiri identified the two sides involved as the police on one side and perpetrators, family and friends on the other side.

“It is the police. ... It is the perpetrators, family and friends.”

Lt-General Shibiri said he was concerned about refusing General Sibiya's request and worried about the response he had given General Sibiya regarding a report.

“According to Witness A, you had said that you were concerned about refusing General Sibiya's request and that it would, you were worried about the response that you had given General Sibiya in respect of a response.”

Lt-General Shibiri indicated that if General Sibiya wanted feedback quickly, he should call Mbuso Khumalo to send the report, but he himself would not give feedback that day.

“No, General, give me time. I will give feedback later, or else if you are in a hurry, you can phone Khumalo to send you the report. Myself, no.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri admits he was worried about giving an urgent report to General Sibiya because Sibiya is responsible for his promotion.

“you were worried about the fact that you had given that response to General Sibiya because he is the one that is responsible for your promotion”

Lt-Gen Shibiri explains he responded somewhat disrespectfully to General Sibiya regarding urgent requests for investigation reports because he was struggling but regretted his tone and wanted to speak differently.

“I respond to him in a bad way... I said... I thought I answered him badly, or inappropriately... I spoke badly and then you thought, let me pull myself back, let me speak differently, let me deal with it differently”

Lt-Gen Shibiri states that he is on General Sibiya and the Divisional Commissioner's behest and is a Component Head serving under their direction.

“I serve on his and the DivCom's behest. I serve as a Component Head on the behest of them under the two”

There was a thorough promotion process for Lt-Gen Shibiri to take the acting Component Head position involving a shortlist, tests, verbal interviews, chaired by General Sibiya and including Divisional and Provincial Commissioners and a delegation from NPA.

“For you to be promoted, there is a shortlisting... there is candidates... test and verbal interview... He was the Chairperson... with the Divisional Commissioner, Crime Detection and Provincial Commissioner of Western Cape, General Patekile... Also delegation from NPA”

Lt-Gen Shibiri denies he holds his current position because of General Sibiya but admits he serves on Sibiya's and the Divisional Commissioner's behest.

“By that, do you mean you are now holding the position that you hold because of General Sibiya? No. Yes, I said I serve on his behest.”

Lt-Gen Shibiri confirms that before he took acting Component Head, the position was General Sibiya's before Sibiya was promoted to DNC.

“when you took the acting position of Component Head, that was General Sibiya's position before he was promoted to DNC”

General Senthumule recommended and approved Lt-Gen Shibiri for the acting Component Head position along with General Sibiya before Sibiya's promotion to DNC.

“General Senthumule recommended and approved you for the acting position, he was former position holder before promotion to DNC”