General Sibiya Denies Instructing Officer to Share Khawula’s Arrest Warrant With Matlala, SA Reacts

• Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya denied instructing Witness F to share information with Vusimuzi Matlala
• The suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection is facing scrutiny over ties to Matlala
• Social media users weighed in on Sibiya's repeated denial amid the serious allegations of misconduct

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya has denied that he instructed a senior officer to share blogger Musa Khawula’s warrant of arrest with Vusimuzi Matlala.

The suspended police Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection made the denial during his fifth day of testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. General Sibiya has faced intense grilling by commissioners and the evidence leader about his relationship with the controversial tenderpreneur, Matlala.

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General Sibiya was also quizzed about why he asked that Matlala be informed about Khawula, as alleged by Witness F. According to Witness F, who was previously identified as Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, he and a colleague were en route to arrest Khawula when Sibiya called, instructing them forward the warrant to Matlala because his company, Cat VIP Security, could help track down Khawula.

General Sibiya denies giving the instruction

In response, the suspended Deputy National Commissioner denied giving Witness F the instruction, saying he had no particular interest in Khawula beyond a general interest in suspects being apprehended.

The arrest warrant for Khawula was granted on 21 October 2024, as he faced allegations of contravening section 13 of the Cyber Crime Act as well as crimen injuria.

“I don’t believe that you believe that I would do such a thing,” he told Advocate Adila Hassim SC.

He added that arrest warrants were handed to police ‘tracking teams’ and not to private security companies.

General Sibiya also denied that he was under pressure to arrest Khawula. Witness F also testified that Sibiya allegedly told him that the matter was urgent and that he was ‘getting pressure’ from Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale. Mathale reportedly was pressuring Sibiya because Khawula had insulted ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula and Zee Nxumalo.

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Mathale denied this, as did Sibiya.

South Africans react to Sibiya’s denial

Social media users weighed in on General Sibiya’s denial, with many suggesting that he denied everything.

Matsobane Manganye said:

“He is busy denying everything. On the other hand, there is evidence, voice recordings and WhatsApp messages.”

Morerwa Cecil added:

“Abuse of power is the biggest problem facing aspirant professionals every time they are given an opportunity to practice their craft.”

Friday Saturday claimed:

“One day he will deny his own surname.”

Wizzy Carter Fuzule gave the general a new nickname:

“Mr Denies.”

Sydney Jele stated:

“Sibiya doesn't remember anything. He is not sure, or he doesn't know.”

Pakistani national accuses Sibiya of threatening him

Briefly News reported that Imran Butt, a Pakistani national, has accused General Sibiya of threatening him.

The suspended Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection previously accused Butt of human trafficking.

Butt's lawyers wrote a second letter to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, alleging that Sibiya issued threats against him.

Source: Briefly News