Major-General Richard Shibiri, the suspended head of the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, will only reveal the identity of the third member of the so-called group of five in-camera.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) Organised Crime Unit head Major-General Richard Shibiri is prepared to reveal the identity of a member of the so-called 'Big Five' cartel he has declined to identify publicly, in-camera.
On Friday, Shibiri told the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry that he knew three of the members of the Big Five, including its leader, late taxi boss Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi, who died in January 2024, murder and attempted murder accused Katiso “KT” Molefe, and a third member whose name he declined to disclose in public.
Shibiri said he did not know the other two but became aware of the three through information from a source.
However, he indicated his willingness to mention the name in-camera and the reasons why he will not do so in public.
Shibiri said his refusal to mention the name was due to safety.
This is the second time a senior SAPS general has refused to identify a witness.
Earlier this year, KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona also refused to reveal the identity of a person referred to in WhatsApp messages sent to him by his boss, provincial commission Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Senona had indicated that the name belonged to a very dangerous person.
Evidence leader Lee Segeels-Ncube stated that businessman Steven Motsumi was the person whose identity Senona had refused to reveal.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga expressed his grave concern that Shibiri would now be the second top cop to refuse to identify a key person in the commission’s work out of fear.
Shibiri said he knew Motsumi as a complainant in an extortion matter, in which suspects demanded 50% of the chrome extracted from a mine in Brits, North West.
He said he had interacted with Motsumi but referred him back to the North West Organised Crime Unit.
According to Shibiri, if he had his way, he would not have mentioned all the names of the people identified in his statement before the commission.
“I prayed that I wouldn't have to name anyone, but clearly my prayers were not answered; perhaps I need to pray more,” he insisted.
Segeels-Ncube asked Shibiri why he would not name EFF leader Julius Malema, as he is a public figure.
Malema has been identified as a person close to suspended SAPS Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya through a businessman identified as Ze Nxumalo.
In response, Shibiri said politicians have followers and that they were like priests, and that he also has grandchildren.
Shibiri also complained that he found it not palatable with him that some of the police officers who have testified at the commission have protection but not him.
He said he had requested a threat and risk assessment from his employer, but never got a response.
“With regard to protection, the commission is now assisting me,” Shibiri said.
Madlanga Commission of Inquiry witness Major-General Richard Shibiri testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers