Suspended Gauteng Crime Intel. Head, Maj-Gen. Richard Shibiri, has denied knowing Musa Khawula, the social blogger.
Image: Screenshot/Newzroom Afrika
Suspended Gauteng Crime Intel. Head, Major-General. Richard Shibiri says he does not know or ever met social media blogger Musa Khawula and does not even call him “chommie” as per WhatsApp chats revealed.
Testifying under oath on Wednesday, Shiburi rejected claims that he engaged Khawula.
The inquiry heard that messages show Shiburi in communication with Khawula and allegedly instructing him not to publish stories about controversial underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
But the testimony quickly became a tangle of denials and disputed interpretations.
Witness F told the commission that Shiburi later shared screenshots of the exchanges.
However, he conceded under questioning that he could not independently confirm whether Shiburi explicitly ordered Khawula to stop reporting.
His understanding, he said, was based on instructions relayed through the chain of command.
Shibiri pushed back forcefully.
“I do not know Khawula personally and have never engaged with him in any professional or personal capacity,” he testified.
He described allegations of coordination or improper engagement as “incorrect.”
He further maintained that material sent to Sergeant Fannie Nkosi related only to advising a complainant to pursue lawful remedies through proper policing channels.
The commission also heard that Witness F’s operational instructions allegedly originated from suspended deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, who reportedly directed that Khawula’s arrest warrant be shared with Matlala.
Sibiya has denied giving such instructions.
The inquiry is continuing.
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