Suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has denied giving any instruction for 121 case dockets related to political killings to be removed from KwaZulu-Natal to police headquarters in Gauteng .
The dockets, which involved the killings of councillors and traditional leaders, became central to allegations of political interference made by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. There were claims the dockets were irregularly removed and left “gathering dust” in Pretoria, stalling investigations .
Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday, Sibiya was adamant he was not part of the handover process and never had physical possession of any of the dockets .
“I have never seen even a single docket, to date. I have not seen even one. They have never been in my office. I don’t have a safe in my office nor an archive,” Sibiya told the commission .
He testified that Political Killings Task Team head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo issued the instruction for the dockets to be moved from KZN to Gauteng. Sibiya said he was only informed of the transfer after it had already taken place .
Sibiya also dismissed claims by Mkhwanazi that delays in action on the dockets were his fault, presenting audit findings showing many dockets were already stagnant before their removal .
“Only 18 percent of the documents reflect a last day investigation in 2025, a further 21 percent recorded a last day of investigation in 2024, and 22 percent recorded a last day of investigation as far back as 2023,” Sibiya said .
He said some dockets showed last investigation dates as far back as 2017, 2018 and 2019, contradicting assertions that the PKTT was functioning effectively . Sibiya argued these figures revealed a pattern of dormancy and stagnation over a prolonged period, despite the team having been allocated budget, resources and operational support.
Sibiya told the commission that attempts were made to return the dockets to KZN but Mkhwanazi rejected the offer . He also questioned Mkhwanazi’s claim about swift arrests made within a week of the dockets being returned, labelling the assertion “incongruous and unimpressive” .
The commission continues to investigate allegations of political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.
