Madlanga Commission | Suspended deputy police chief Shadrack Sibiya calls in sick

Suspended deputy police commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, will not be appearing at the Madlanga Commission after he called in sick, commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels confirmed to IOL.

Michaels said Sibiya was scheduled to testify on Thursday but he’s informed the commission that he was ill, and therefore cannot testify.

“Sibiya was served with a subpoena to appear before the commission this Thursday, December 4.

“He has called in sick… So of course his testimony will have to stand over until next year, 2026, because this is the last week of the commission’s hearings,” he said.

According to Michaels, Sibiya was served with rule 3 informing him of serious allegations against him.

Several witnesses have accused Sibiya of orchestrating the disbandment of the KZN Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

According to testimony already before the commission, Sibiya allegedly pushed for the team to be shut down and subsequently demanded that all PKTT dockets be transferred to his office.

About 121 dockets were reportedly moved under his instruction — only to be quietly returned to KZN months later, with no clear explanation of what had happened while they were under his control.

What the commission heard was that the dockets gathered dust at the national office.

The commission has also heard disturbing claims about Sibiya’s alleged proximity to powerful criminal figures, including Gauteng tycoon Vusimuzi “CAT” Matlala and alleged underworld businessman, Katiso “KT” Molefe.

Last month, Witness C testified that Matlala allegedly delivered cash to Sibiya through Sergeant F. Nkosi, a police officer under Sibiya’s supervision.

According to the witness, Matlala would hand over bundles of cash to Nkosi, who in turn allegedly passed the money to Sibiya – payments described as routine, informal and undisclosed.

The commission via its evidence leaders and Sibiya’s legal team will decide on the new date.

Meanwhile, Sibiya has denied any wrongdoing in the matter and also dismissed claims that he was in cahoots with the criminals. 

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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