Pretoria, South Africa — The Madlanga Commission has become the epicentre of a political and policing firestorm after a protected witness detailed shocking claims of corruption, collusion, and criminal interference allegedly involving top South African Police Service (SAPS) officials.
The revelations point to what could be one of the largest corruption scandals in SAPS history — with billions of rands allegedly siphoned from a health-services tender through kickbacks and manipulated investigations.
The Explosive Testimony
The most damning evidence came from Witness C, who told the commission that controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala boasted about securing the multi-billion rand SAPS health-services tender through his “connections” — identified as suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and KZN Hawks head, Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona.
Witness C claimed that Matlala bragged about a systematic kickback arrangement, alleging that after every SAPS payment, a portion was channeled back to Sibiya and Senona through intermediaries. Screenshots of WhatsApp messages allegedly between Matlala, Senona, and other associates were submitted to the commission as evidence, hinting at coordination over contract payments and property deals.
Three witnesses — Witness A, Witness B, and Witness C — have now presented consistent accounts describing how elite SAPS members allegedly tampered with dockets, shielded criminal networks, and obstructed investigations.
Interference and Collusion at the Top
Witness A described a raid at the home of alleged underworld kingpin Katiso “KT” Molefe, which was disrupted by a Hawks and metro police helicopter hovering overhead — reportedly without authorisation. He said Sibiya later questioned why Molefe had been detained “without clearance,” suggesting political interference in police operations.
According to Witness A, he was later invited to Sibiya’s farm by Officer Richard Shibiri, who allegedly told him to “cool off” on the Molefe investigation — a veiled attempt to suppress further inquiries.
Witness B added that crucial case files from the KZN Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) were illegally removed and redirected to Pretoria, allegedly under Sibiya’s instruction. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that Sibiya had no legal authority to order such removals, raising questions about institutional accountability.
The move reportedly crippled several high-profile political assassination cases, with Witness B calling it “a deliberate act to stall justice.”
The “Cat” Connection
Matlala, already known for his flamboyant lifestyle and criminal charges in an unrelated attempted murder case, has emerged as a central figure in the unfolding scandal. Witnesses allege that he served as a conduit between the business and police worlds, leveraging high-level contacts to secure tenders and funnel funds back to powerful insiders.
He reportedly named both Sibiya and Senona as beneficiaries of SAPS contract kickbacks — a claim now at the heart of the Commission’s investigation.
Denials and Power Struggles
Through his legal representatives, Sibiya denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as “unfounded” and driven by personal vendettas within SAPS ranks. His defence pointed fingers at KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, implying that internal politics and rivalries were being disguised as anti-corruption efforts.
Despite the denials, the consistency of testimony across multiple witnesses has sparked a public outcry. Civil groups and citizens on social media have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend all implicated officers pending the Commission’s final report.
Systemic Rot in the Ranks
The testimonies paint a troubling picture of systemic rot within South Africa’s law enforcement hierarchy — where high-ranking officers allegedly manipulate investigations, protect criminal networks, and exploit state contracts for personal enrichment.
“The evidence suggests a pattern of collusion and obstruction of justice at senior levels,” one investigator close to the commission remarked, adding that “rank will not protect anyone from accountability.”
What Lies Ahead
The Madlanga Commission is set to continue next week, with more SAPS and Hawks members expected to testify. Insiders say the next round of witnesses could expose further links between senior police officials, judges, and business figures tied to the tender networks.
If corroborated, the revelations could trigger one of the most far-reaching purges in the history of South African policing — reshaping the future of law enforcement in a country already grappling with widespread corruption and declining public trust.
