Impeached former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has firmly rejected assertions made by suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya during proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, stating that her office never formally cleared him of wrongdoing in a critical investigation.
Speaking in response to Sibiya’s testimony, Mkhwebane said claims that her office had exonerated the senior police official were “factually incorrect and misleading.” She emphasized that the Public Protector’s findings at the time did not amount to a blanket clearance but were limited to specific procedural issues under review.
Sibiya, who is currently on suspension, told the Commission that he had relied on what he described as findings from Mkhwebane’s office to assert that allegations against him lacked substance. His remarks formed part of broader testimony examining decision-making and accountability within senior police leadership.
Mkhwebane countered that her office’s reports must be read in full context, warning against selective interpretation. “Our investigations were guided by evidence and legal mandate. Any suggestion that we issued a comprehensive exoneration is inaccurate,” she said in a statement.
The dispute adds another layer of tension to proceedings before the Madlanga Commission, which is tasked with probing governance and conduct issues within the police service. Observers note that conflicting interpretations of past investigative outcomes could influence the Commission’s assessment of credibility and institutional accountability.
As hearings continue, the Commission is expected to evaluate documentary records alongside oral testimony to determine the accuracy of the competing claims.