Top cop Richard Shibiri labels head of SAPS crime intelligence as 'reckless'

Top cop Richard Shibiri has labelled the head of crime intelligence at SAPS as “reckless” for publicly talking about the alleged big five cartel. 

Shibiri, who is currently suspended from his job as head of organised crime at SAPS, testified at the Madlanga commission on Friday about his knowledge of the Big Five. 

The group is believed to be made up of crime bosses that run an underworld mafia network which stretches from taxis, kidnappings for ransom, private security, extortion and other sectors.

In September last year, head of crime intelligence, Dumisani Khumalo blew the lid on the big five cartel.

Khumalo told the Madlanga commission he suspected controversial businessmen, Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe and Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala were part of this group. 

When quizzed about this at the commission, suspended head of organised crime at SAPS, Richard Shibiri, said he couldn’t drop names publicly for fear of his own safety.

"To come here and say… I thought it was reckless from crime intelligence head (Khumalo). I’m taken to be against crime intelligence, but I respect the man very much and we worked along well, with all of them and they can attest to that. I got information and I called them; he’s my point of departure. What I have qualms with, to come here and say Shibiri gave us names of the cartel and you (Khumalo) are having bodyguards 24-hours because you don’t want to be harmed by the same cartel.”

The Madlanga commission resumes on ,onday morning with a new witness.