Madlanga Commission | Masemola spills the beans on his deputy's alleged links to crime boss Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala

National Police Commissioner, Gen. Fannie Masemola revealed that a whistleblower came forward warning him his deputy, Lt-Gen. Shadrack Sibiya had a close and possibly compromising relationship with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala - who has been implicated in a slew  charges including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.

Matlala is also accused of kidnapping prominent businessman Jerry Boshoga.

Masemola testified before the Madlanga Commissioner in Pretoria on Monday, implicating his  Sibiya, in a criminal scandal linked to kidnapping, corruption, and abuse of power.

The whistleblower urged Masemola to keep Sibiya off the case, alleging that Sibiya and Matlala were “working together” and using their influence to “direct police operations.”

“This person said Matlala is actually one of my deputies… doing the same work with Sibiya,” Masemola told the commission. “They direct police to do certain things.”

In response, Masemola ordered General Dumisani Khumalo to launch an urgent investigation into the Boshoga kidnapping.

That probe led to a police raid on Matlala’s premises on December 6, 2024 — which ended in the arrest of Matlala and Sandton businessman Katiso Molefe.

The fallout was immediate. Masemola has now suspended Sibiya with immediate effect, pending the outcome of multiple investigations.

Sibiya, already under scrutiny for allegedly trying to dismantle the KZN political assassinations task team, had recently lost a court battle to overturn his earlier forced leave. The latest developments may have sealed his fate.

His suspension marks a dramatic escalation in what appeared to be a deepening crisis within the SAPS leadership — as allegations of corruption, political interference, and criminal collusion continue to surface.

With arrests made and investigations intensifying, the Madlanga Commission was now at the centre of a firestorm that could reshape the leadership of the police.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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