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Pretoria – Suspended Deputy National Commissioner of Police (crime detection) Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya allegedly urged Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to file a false theft case against him, the Madlanga commission has heard. Matlala has been identified as a member of a drug cartel.
This startling revelation was made by South African Police Service (SAPS) National Head of Crime Intelligence Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo during his testimony on Wednesday at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, currently underway in Pretoria.
Khumalo, speaking before Advocate Adila Hassim SC, the commission’s evidence leader, detailed the events surrounding a police search operation conducted on December 6, 2024, at Matlala's residence in Centurion, Pretoria. The purpose of the search was to locate kidnapped Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga.
Following the search and questioning at Matlala’s house, police confiscated five firearms and two iPhone cellphones belonging to Matlala. This action prompted Matlala to file an urgent application in the Pretoria High Court, demanding the return of the confiscated items.
According to Khumalo, Matlala claimed that police had taken five of his firearms, two iPhone cellphones, one MacBook, one Rolex watch, and a lady’s watch. He specifically alleged that the police had stolen his watches.
However, Khumalo refuted these claims, stating: “It is not true that the police took Matlala’s MacBook, Rolex watch, and the lady’s watch. Police only confiscated his firearms and cellphones. The firearms were taken because the way they were placed in Matlala’s home contravened the Firearms Control Act.”
The matter was scheduled to be heard on December 24, 2024. However, the judge presiding over the case dismissed Matlala’s application due to a lack of urgency.
Following this setback, Matlala informed the police that he was withdrawing his application against them.
Khumalo revealed that a day before the court hearing, he met with former police minister Bheki Cele in Pretoria. During this meeting, Cele shared a conversation he had with Matlala.
“[Cele] said Matlala told him that General Sibiya told him to file an affidavit and open a false case against myself and my [SAPS] members that we stole Matlala’s watches and MacBook during the search operation at his house."
According to Cele, Matlala admitted that the items in question – the watches and the MacBook – were not stolen or taken by the police. Matlala reportedly told Cele that he was still wearing the Rolex watch that was allegedly stolen. Khumalo relayed that "Matlala told Cele that Sibiya forced him to file the High Court affidavit stating that police stole his watches and MacBook…"
Meanwhile, Jerry Boshoga, the Pretoria businessman whose kidnapping prompted the search of Matlala's residence, remains missing. Boshoga was last seen in November 2024 after informing associates that he was going to meet someone in Rooihuiskraal, Centurion. He has been missing for almost a year now.
The Madlanga commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is being held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. The commission's investigation continues to delve into allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. The testimony from Lt-Gen Khumalo adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate web of accusations surrounding Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya. The commission continues.
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