Shibiri returns to Madlanga Commission for cross-examination

The suspended head of organised crime at the South African Police Service (SAPS), Richard Shibiri, returns to the Madlanga Commission for cross-examination on allegation’s he’s in the pockets of crime cartel bosses on Friday.

Shibiri first appeared before the commission on Wednesday, where he denied most of the allegations against him.

ALSO READ:

Madlanga Commission: Shibiri says R70k loan from Matlala was not conditional

Suspended SAPS crime boss denies corruption, claims R70k payment from Matlala was a loan

Shibiri explains texts exchanged with 'Cat' Matlala

The Madlanga Commission was established in 2025 to look into allegations of criminal infiltration into the country’s crime prevention sector.

Previous witnesses at the Madlanga Commission have accused Shibiri of trying to bribe police officers to make a murder case go away, leaking classified information to civilians, and accepting money from crime kingpins.

Shibiri has denied all the allegations except one.

He admitted to receiving a R70,000 loan from suspected crime boss Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala in 2024, which he has since repaid in full.

Shibiri said at the time, he only knew Matlala as a businessman.

“At no stage was I aware he was a member of any cartel or that he was a subject of any criminal investigation. If I’d been aware of such circumstances, my conduct and interaction would’ve been guided strictly by official obligations.”