DOMINOES TUMBLE: Madlanga Commission fallout deepens as Shibiri dismissed, nine officers suspended

The Madlanga Commission is continuing to reshape the upper ranks of South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. Nine officers were suspended hours after police announced the dismissal of Major-General Richard Shibiri, the head of organised crime at the SAPS.

On Friday, 5 June, the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the suspension of nine police officers who served on the bid evaluation committee responsible for awarding organised crime suspect Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s Medicare24 a R360-million contract.

National SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said: “The affected members have been placed on suspension pending the finalisation of disciplinary and related investigations. The SAPS remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency and ethical conduct in all its operations.

The Madlanga Commission is hearing evidence into alleged criminality, political interference and corruption within law enforcement agencies, following explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed that top officials had conspired to obstruct investigations into criminal syndicates.

The arrests, suspensions and disciplinary action that have followed suggest authorities are beginning to act on allegations of corruption and collusion within the SAPS.

More than a dozen police officers face criminal charges in relation to the Medicare24 contract.

Earlier on Friday, SAPS confirmed the dismissal of Major-General Richard Shibiri, the head of the SAPS organised crime unit, following the conclusion of internal disciplinary proceedings, making him the most senior officer yet to be removed amid the fallout from evidence heard before the Madanga Commission.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Mathe said the disciplinary proceedings were conducted in accordance with SAPS prescripts and the principles of procedural fairness.

“Major-General Shibiri was found guilty of misconduct relating to conduct that brought the organisation into disrepute, including associating himself with a known criminal,” she said.

While Mathe did not name the individual concerned, testimony before the Madlanga Commission repeatedly focused on Shibiri’s relationship with Matlala.

Evidence heard by the commission painted a troubling picture of alleged ties between senior law enforcement officials and figures accused of operating within lucrative criminal networks.

Shibiri was among five law enforcement officials singled out by President Cyril Ramaphosa following his consideration of the commission’s first interim