Suspended head of organised crime at South African Police Service (SAPS), Richard Shibiri, has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria that his text exchanges with suspected crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala were purely social.
Shibiri is facing scrutiny after previous witnesses alleged he was influenced by crime cartel figures, including claims that he received R80,000 in cash from Matlala.
Testifying on his communication practices, Shibiri clarified that he used his personal phone, not his SAPS-issued device. “Unless otherwise indicated, such communications were informal, social or work-related within ordinary professional engagement and did not involve the disclosure of classified information, operational strategy or confidential investigative material,” he said.
His testimony comes amid broader investigations into alleged corruption and misconduct within SAPS, which have led to his suspension and intense public scrutiny.