Former Deputy Police Commissioner Leah Shibambo breaks silence 10 years after being fired without warning

It has been over 10 years since Riah Phiyega, the former National Police Commissioner, made major changes to the top ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Phiyega fired senior officers suddenly and without proper consultation or explanation.

Among them was one of the country’s first black deputy national commissioners, Dr Leah Shibambo.

Shibambo has spoken out for the first time about the day she discovered she had been fired.

She recalled receiving an SMS invitation to attend then-Commissioner Phiyega’s "Year in Office" media conference in August 2013, only to learn that her replacement was announced without any prior warning.

Shebambo continued to report to work for months afterwards, despite having no duties or receiving no communication.

"The most difficult part of it is that people that I used to work with, some of whom I was responsible for promoting their career in the police, had stopped talking to me, had started to see me as if I were some person with leprosy or some contagious disease. So, those things have been very, very painful."

She explained that Phiyega later offered her a role heading the SAPS Education Trust, but without an official position in the police structure, effectively ending her career.

Reflecting on former Police Minister Bheki Cele’s recent mention of her name before Parliament, Shibambo said she was humbled but also reminded of the hurt she endured.

"That was very humbling. I wasn't expecting that.

"It is clear that Mrs Phiyega fired me unlawfully and unfairly. But it said to me that there are people out there like General Cele that still realise or even have pity for me, and they still remember me. I mean, in times like this, one would have thought that he would concentrate on what is happening now and what is being questioned now. It brought back some painful memories as well."

Shibambo's story has resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny of alleged infiltration and instability within the country's law enforcement ranks.

To listen to her in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: