Southern Africa: SAPS' Organised Crime Boss Explains His R80,000 Loan From 'Cat' Matlala

By Vincent Cruywagen

Major-General Richard Shibiri, tasked with leading organised crime investigations within the police's detective and forensic division, accepted an R80,000 loan from alleged tender kingpin and organised crime accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.

On Wednesday, 4 March, SAPS organised crime head Major-General Richard Shibiri appeared before the Madlanga Commission to answer allegations that he accepted an R80,000 "gift" from controversial businessman and organised crime accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala - and that he meddled in a murder investigation.

Matlala, who faces attempted murder charges and previously received a R360-million police tender, is a central figure in the Madlanga Commission probe into alleged political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system, owing to his reported links to senior police officials, including sidelined police minister Senzo Mchunu.

Shibiri, who was not cross-examined on Wednesday and was allowed to explain his 81-page statement, admitted to receiving R80,000 from Matlala, but said it was a loan that he repaid.

Shibiri was suspended in February 2025, along with several police officials.

'Personal misfortune'

Shibiri's timeline attempted to frame the R80,000 transaction as a chain of personal misfortune rather than impropriety. He traced it back to 6 September 2024, when his son was involved in a car accident and the insurance claim was repudiated, placing him under unexpected financial strain.

Then, on 14 September 2024, Shibiri attended an engagement party for now-suspended deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya's...

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