Shadrack Sibiya
By Thabo Mosia
Embattled South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, has launched an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to overturn a directive forcing him to stay at home, which he describes as a “disguised suspension”. This move comes after explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Sibiya and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of meddling in the operations of a special task team investigating political killings, leading to its disbandment and the stalling of over 100 murder cases.
Background to the Controversy
The saga began earlier this month when Mkhwanazi held a press conference in Durban, where he made serious claims about the capture of the country’s criminal justice system by criminals. He pointed fingers at Sibiya and Mchunu, saying they interfered with the work of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), a unit set up to probe assassinations linked to political rivalries, mainly in KwaZulu-Natal. Mkhwanazi alleged that the team was disbanded suddenly after officers from KwaZulu-Natal were sent to Gauteng to help investigate the April 2024 assassination of Vaal engineer Armand Swart. That probe reportedly linked weapons used in Swart’s murder to a series of other high-profile crimes, including potential ties to drug cartels, politicians, and even senior law enforcement officials.
According to Mkhwanazi, 121 case dockets were taken away from the task team at the direction of Sibiya, acting “on the instruction of the minister of police” and without the national commissioner’s or Mkhwanazi’s authority. He claimed these dockets had been sitting idle at head office since then, with Sibiya having “withdrew all these dockets and they are sitting in an archive in his office in Pretoria”. Mkhwanazi further linked Sibiya to controversial figures, including power broker Brown Mogotsi and murder-accused businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, through communications recovered from Matlala’s cellphone. Matlala, photographed during an appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg, faces charges related to attempted murder and other serious offences.
This public fallout has exposed deep cracks in the SAPS top brass, with lies and contradictions over the task team’s shutdown highlighting tensions between national and provincial leadership. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has denied issuing any directive to disband the unit, stating that he was on leave in December 2024 when Mchunu attempted to shut it down. However, Sibiya insists in his court papers that the instructions originated from the “erstwhile minister of police” and were conveyed to him by Masemola in January 2025.
Sibiya’s Court Application and Defence
In his urgent application filed on Friday, Sibiya seeks to correct what he calls Mkhwanazi’s “version” and return to his duties immediately. He argues that the directive from Masemola to “stay at home, pending an investigation” is unlawful, as the commissioner was not empowered to make these decisions. Sibiya describes it as a “disguised suspension” that has created an “ongoing impression” of wrongdoing, placing his life in danger due to death threats stemming from the “unlawful suspension and the announcement of the parallel investigations”.
Sibiya maintains that the PKTT was not meant to be permanent and that its disbandment followed proper channels. He references a letter from Mchunu to Masemola on 31 December 2024, which stated: “My observation in this regard is that further existence of this team is no longer required nor is it adding any value to policing in South Africa. I further direct that the political killings task team be disbanded immediately.” The minister also requested a preliminary report.
Three days later, Sibiya says he received an email from Masemola’s office to “communicate the deactivation” to the team and submit a “close-up report”. He then wrote to Crime Intelligence boss Major General Dumisani Khumalo – who was arrested last month in connection with alleged unlawful senior appointments – stressing that “comprehensive handover protocols were to be established”.
Sibiya denies being involved in the handover of dockets and claims there were attempts to transfer them to KwaZulu-Natal’s murder and robbery units, but Mkhwanazi refused. Masemola’s office then assigned the cases to Sibiya’s team, but without funding, making it “unreasonable” to expect them to wrap up so many cases in three months. “I was not involved in any of the decisions that have impacted my department’s inability to do the work which I am accused of hindering,” he stated.
Addressing the association allegations, Sibiya said: “The claim that I am associated with persons under investigation and that this allegation necessarily means I am of dubious character smacks of dishonesty, is false, irrational and wholly unsubstantiated.” He added: “There is no evidence of such association as none exists. There is also no basis for the assertion that the alleged association has elements of dishonesty. I have never been dishonest to my employer.”
Sibiya accuses Masemola of relying on “untested allegations that came from a single source in a media briefing” and having “unjustified favour or inclination” towards the allegations. He argues that his suspension would obstruct the commission’s work and subject him to double jeopardy. He also wants the court to interdict Masemola from instituting parallel proceedings against him until the commission concludes. Sibiya has requested the case be heard on 26 August 2025.
Responses and Broader Implications
Masemola has welcomed breakthroughs by the PKTT in recent cases, but the unit’s dissolution has drawn criticism. President Cyril Ramaphosa has praised the task team for doing “tremendous work” in tackling political killings, disagreeing with Mkhwanazi’s view that its end derailed investigations. However, Mkhwanazi stands firm, saying the team’s work was undermined by political interference, and he has accused Sibiya of defamation, with attorneys sending a letter of demand.
The controversy has also revealed failed attempts to arrest Mchunu and Sibiya, reportedly turned away when officers tried to obtain warrants. This has raised questions about accountability at the highest levels, with some suggesting the allegations against Mchunu may be politically motivated amid speculation about his future role.
Public reactions highlight concerns over the process. Many question why Sibiya is eager to return physically to work while on paid special leave, suggesting it might allow interference in investigations. Critics argue that placing him on a “leave of absence” instead of a formal precautionary suspension or temporary transfer bypasses SAPS regulations, potentially jeopardising the probe and endangering witnesses. Regulations allow suspension on full pay if an officer’s presence might harm investigations or safety, but “leave of absence” lacks these safeguards.
The scandal ties into wider issues, including the arrest of Khumalo for fraud and corruption, and speculation that Masemola faces imminent arrest. It also connects to other high-profile cases, such as the murder of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, where Sibiya oversaw arrests, and the killing of a Sandton businessman linked to Transnet whistleblowing. Threats against Mkhwanazi have prompted heightened security, underscoring the dangers of exposing syndicate infiltration in law enforcement.
A commission of inquiry has been established to probe Mkhwanazi’s claims, including Sibiya’s role and the minister’s alleged interference. Both Sibiya and Mchunu have stepped aside in the interim, with Sibiya noting he has been stripped of a driver and protector, leaving him destitute during this volatile time.
Ongoing Concerns for South African Policing
This public clash among top police officials has shaken public trust in the SAPS, with calls for transparency and adherence to disciplinary codes. The PKTT had made significant progress in arresting suspects in political murders, but its sudden end has frozen key dockets, potentially allowing criminals to evade justice. As the court battle unfolds, it highlights the blurred lines between politics and policing, with fears that corruption and assassinations continue to undermine the system.
Sibiya maintains his innocence, accusing Masemola of bias and creating a “reasonable apprehension of bias” by taking decisions “in bad faith for an ulterior motive”. The outcome could reshape leadership in the SAPS and influence ongoing fights against organised crime in South Africa.
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