MPs Question Sibiya’s Credibility After Confusing Testimony in Parliament
Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, the suspended deputy police commissioner, underwent intense questioning from Members of Parliament as his testimony left many questions unresolved.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), now serving as the official opposition, expressed concerns regarding the contradictions and complexities within Sibiya’s statements.
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Sibiya testified before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Tuesday in response to allegations brought forth by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The focus of the discussion was primarily on Sibiya’s alleged misconduct and his reported ties to tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala regarding a supply chain management matter.
MKP MP Thulani Shongwe accused Sibiya of changing his narrative. “He claimed to trust the one letter from Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, yet when asked about another letter from the advocate, he changes his stance,” Shongwe remarked.
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Sibiya Responds to Allegations
During his testimony, Sibiya rejected the allegations of being a rogue officer and defended his reputation, stating that both the Public Protector and the State Security Agency (SSA) have exonerated him from previous claims.
The allegations included issues related to his tenure as head of Group Forensic Investigation Services (GFIS) and the procurement of surveillance equipment while he was with the City of Johannesburg.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane, a former Public Protector and current MKP Convenor in Mpumalanga, was mentioned in Sibiya’s testimony. However, Shongwe raised questions about the deputy commissioner’s credibility, suggesting that his evasive responses put his integrity in doubt.
“I find it difficult to assess his character,” Shongwe commented. “Is he someone who avoids answers or simply confuses? I cannot determine who he is or how he communicates directly.”
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“This raises many concerns regarding his character. He is under scrutiny. To clarify this, he should have been exceptionally truthful, yet he appears to be quite ambiguous.”
ANC Points Out Concerns Over Sibiya’s Connections
African National Congress (ANC) MP Khusela Sangoni-Diko also highlighted issues with the inconsistencies in Sibiya’s narrative. She noted that this was the first occurrence of such a significantly altered account from the deputy commissioner.
“There are clearly multiple inconsistencies that warrant an investigation, especially concerning the actions he took as deputy national commissioner regarding the disbandment of the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT),” Sangoni-Diko stated.
Sangoni-Diko pointed out Sibiya’s connections to controversial figures, including Matlala and businessman Oupa Brown Mogotsi.
Matlala, who was arrested earlier this year in connection with an attempted murder case involving actress Tebogo Thobejane, has also been linked to alleged fraudulent activities at Tembisa Hospital.
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Mogotsi, conversely, has been accused of unlawful interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and was mentioned during the Madlanga Commission hearings for his role in undermining law enforcement integrity.
“Clearly, there are concerns we must address within the ANC regarding how General Sibiya appears comfortable associating with individuals linked to alleged criminal syndicates,” she noted.
“From the beginning of this process, our intention has been to uncover the most credible version of the truth, and that remains our focus.”
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