The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has exposed fresh contradictions in the testimony of suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) organised crime unit head, Richard Shibiri.
Commission evidence shows Shibiri purchased a pair of R19,000 Gucci sneakers and R3,000 Louis Vuitton sandals in Sandton just months after receiving a R70,000 payment from alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Shibiri has repeatedly told the commission the money was a loan to repair his son’s damaged vehicles. He claimed he was in severe financial distress at the time and even sold cattle to repay Matlala.
However, bank records presented to the commission reveal that Shibiri and his son had more than R100,000 available when the payment was received — directly contradicting his claim of hardship.
During intense cross-examination, co-commissioner Sandile Khumalo pointed out that the luxury purchases made shortly afterwards make the financial-difficulty explanation implausible.
Shibiri responded that the Gucci sneakers were a gift for a friend who had previously bought him a Zegna suit, while the Louis Vuitton sandals were acquired by exchanging a birthday-gift wallet and paying the R3,000 difference in cash.
He maintained that he intended to use the R70,000 only for building a wall at his home and planned to repay the full amount by December.
Shibiri also admitted he had prior knowledge of allegations against Matlala but denied ever discussing SAPS operations with him.