Sibiya denies close ties to controversial businessmen in Parliament

Suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has denied any friendship with controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi, but admitted knowing murder accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, who won a police healthcare tender.

Sibiya was responding to questions before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption and interference.

READ: Suspended deputy police commissioner Sibiya vows to defend his reputation following raid on home

He told the committee that he knew Mogotsi as an activist from the North West, but the two had never been acquainted. He said he later searched for Mogotsi online to get more information about him.

Mogotsi is accused of trying to influence the disbanding of the political killings task team and also has links to Minister Senzo Mchunu.

While Sibiya admits that Mogotsi contacted him to inform him that Crime Intelligence was investigating him, he denies being close to the businessman.

“I had not even met him, not even once, and even my records will show that,” Sibiya said.

As far as Vusimuzi Cat Matlala is concerned, Sibiya told evidence leader Norman Arendse that he knew him professionally.

“I know Cat Matlala. Before I came back to the police, I didn’t know Mr Matlala, and I got to know Mr Matlala when he called me wanting to meet, and I said no to come to my office,” he stated.

Sibiya also defended his involvement in the disbanding of the political killing task team as the head of crime detection, arguing that most cases are led by detectives.