National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has told the Madlanga Commission that he was informed of a concerning relationship between Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Masemola, who continued his testimony on Monday, revealed that an unidentified “concerned party” approached him earlier this year, raising questions about Sibiya’s alleged closeness to Matlala. According to Masemola, the individual suggested that Matlala held influence within the police service, going as far as to quip that “Matlala is one of my deputies, and I’m just not aware of it.”
The commissioner did not disclose the identity of the informant, but he emphasized that the claims were troubling given the sensitivity of senior police leadership roles and the ongoing scrutiny into corruption and undue influence within law enforcement structures.
“I found the statement disturbing because it implied that a private individual could wield influence comparable to that of my official deputies,” Masemola testified. He added that while he had not independently verified the allegations, he considered the matter serious enough to bring to the attention of the commission.
Vusimuzi Matlala, popularly known as “Cat,” has been mentioned in several circles as a businessman with significant connections, though he has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing. His name has surfaced in internal discussions about the integrity of law enforcement leadership.
Lieutenant-General Sibiya, who currently oversees crime detection nationally, has faced scrutiny before during his career but has also been credited with handling complex investigations. The latest claims, however, may place additional pressure on him to publicly account for his associations.
The Madlanga Commission was established to probe allegations of misconduct, political interference, and irregularities within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Testimonies such as Masemola’s are expected to shed light on how external influences may compromise policing effectiveness and undermine public trust.
Legal experts following the proceedings say the commission will need to carefully weigh hearsay against verifiable evidence before drawing any conclusions. “The claim that a businessman could be seen as a de facto deputy commissioner is highly damaging if left untested,” one analyst noted.
Masemola stressed that his testimony was not an accusation but a reflection of the information relayed to him. “As commissioner, I have a duty to ensure that such matters are investigated and placed before the appropriate structures,” he concluded.
The commission is expected to call further witnesses in the coming weeks, with both Sibiya and Matlala anticipated to respond to the allegations.
