“Police officers are employed to arrest criminals. I have never seen a police officer who fears criminals. A police officer must face criminals. If it means it is a fight, then so be it — and the police must win,” said Masemola.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga also expressed concern about the generals’ reluctance to identify suspected criminals, warning that such behaviour could undermine public confidence in law enforcement.
“I understand that the general is a human being like the rest of us and may fear for his life. However, it is concerning that a general — the head of organised crime — and another general, the provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), can be so afraid that they are unable to reveal the names of individuals said to be involved in cartels or criminal activities,” Madlanga said.
Shibiri claimed he had previously requested protection from SAPS but that his request had been denied, prompting the commission to step in and offer protection.
Masemola neither confirmed nor denied the claim.
“In terms of General Shibiri, I do not recall receiving an assessment or a formal request. I cannot comment on that because I do not remember,” he said.
Witness safety remains a major concern for the commission. Security operative Marius van der Merwe was assassinated after testifying before the inquiry, where he implicated a group of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officers in a murder.