Ad Hoc Committee Probes Explosive Testimony From Deputy Police Commissioner Sibiya

The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by the South African Police Service's KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, completed two days of robust and intense engagements in the early hours of this morning with Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection.

Lt Gen Sibiya was the third witness to testify before the committee. Last week the committee heard oral testimonies from Lt Gen Mkhwanazi as well as national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola. Later this week the committee is expected to hear from Minister Senzo Mchunu.

The committee is conducting an enquiry to assess the veracity, extent and implications of wide-ranging allegations regarding security matters made by Lt Gen Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025 during a media briefing on the work of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

On Monday the committee's evidence leader, Adv Norman Arendse, SC, led Lt Gen Sibiya during presentation of his evidence in chief, which related to the sworn witness statement he provided to the committee.

During his evidence, the committee heard, among other things, about the deterioration of the relationship between Lt Gen Sibiya and Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi allegedly following the arrest of the accused in the murder case of rapper "AKA" or Kiernan Forbes. The relationship with both both controversial businessman Mr Brown Mogotsi and murder accused Mr Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and their influence in the disbandment of the political killings task team (PKTT), the controversial Medicare24 police healthcare tender and the involvement of PKTT members in alleged corruption at the Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape were also interrogated.

The committee also heard concerns about a possible "conflict of interest" after it became apparent that two of the committee Members previously laid criminal charges against Lt Gen Sibiya. One of the political parties replaced their member and another party felt the "conflict" does not exist as these members have not been implicated in the allegations. The committee resolved to write to the Speaker to inform her that the witness was "uncomfortable" with the participation of the remaining member.

Yesterday was set aside for committee members to engage with the evidence before them. Committee member Mr Xola Nqola asks Lt Gen Sibiya what the status of the task team is now. Lt Gen Sibiya replies: "It is just like General Mkhwanazi said. It is up and running." Mr Nqola also focused on communications, extracted from Mr Matlala's phones, which show he was apparently in contact with Mr Mogotsi.

Another Committee Adv Glynnis Breytenbach said these allegations of political interference are not new and asked what he thinks prompted this. Lt Gen Sibiya said the animosity was prompted by an news article earlier this year, which placed Sibiya, Lt Gen Mkhwanazi and another individual in the running for a top job.

Lt Gen Sibiya then made another claim: "People of South Africa are being taken for a ride" when it came to the issue of the 121 dockets at the centre of the Mkhwanazi allegations. "Those dockets were dead a long time ago - they are still dead," he said. He further claimed that Lt Gen Mkhwanazi is "playing mind games" with the country.

Committee member Mr Crossby Vusi Shongwe questioned Lt Gen Sibiya on his relationship with forensic investigator, Mr Paul O'Sullivan. Lt Gen Sibiya told the committee that Mr O'Sullivan is "one of the active role players in crimefighting".

Ms Leigh-Ann Mathys also based some of her questions on Mr O'Sullivan. She wanted to know if Mr O'Sullivan was involved in the sourcing of the equipment when Lt Gen Sibiya worked for the City of Johannesburg.

Lt Gen Sibiya denied that he left the employment of City of Johannesburg under a cloud. Member Ms Thokozile Sokanyile stated that he left the municipality being accused of fraud and corruption.

Another Member Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli accused Lt Gen Sibiya of having a habit of steering away from questions when he could not elaborate on his earlier claims that Lt Gen Mkhwanazi is "funded" by some individuals, which is why he is able to act in this manner on social media.

Committee member Mr Wouter Wessels asked if Lt Gen Sibiya every received gifts from Mr Matlala, to which he responded no.

The oral hearings are scheduled to continue on Thursday with the testimony of Minister Senzo Mchunu. The committee is empowered by the National Assembly Rule 253 and was established following the allegations made by Lt Gen Mkhwanazi.

Rajaa Azzakani
15 October 2025