Sibiya forced to come clean, admits to interference in SAPS | Madlanga Commission

Suspended SAPS Deputy Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Shadrack Sibiya, has admitted that he took control of all the crucial PKTT dockets, including those on the court roll, and allowed them to gather dust in his office, uninvestigated for three months.

Testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Friday, Sibiya conceded to using an unauthorized implementation plan to disband the elite unit—contradicting the approved strategy.

He also admitted that he had deviated from the approved action plan for the disbandment of the Provincial and National Task Team (PKTT), a specialised crime-fighting unit.

He was supposed to ensure that ongoing cases were processed smoothly, but instead, he left the court dockets in limbo.

Sibiya explained that he "inspected" the 121 PKTT dockets, but he acknowledged that no investigations were conducted on these critical cases during the period.

His explanation? It was "work" being done—but one that led to no tangible results.

“I just feel I am being punished for being effective,” Sibiya lamented, asserting that his actions aligned with directives from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and SAPS Commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola.

However, his words only seemed to deepen the mystery of why cases that should have been prioritised were instead delayed and mishandled.

Evidence Leader Adv. Adila Hassim SC confronted Sibiya with evidence that a February 2025 letter which he had instructed SAPS acting Deputy Commissioner Lt-Gen. Khosi Senthumule to ensure all PKTT-related documentation was handed over.

Sibiya tried to downplay his role, insisting the documents could have been transferred in KZN rather than Pretoria, but the facts did not align with his narrative.

Under mounting pressure, Sibiya conceded that the transfer of the dockets to the SAPS head office inevitably disrupted investigations.

Hassim bluntly asked, “No investigation was done on those dockets, correct?” To which Sibiya reluctantly agreed, admitting, “I agree no investigation was done.”

But Sibiya continued to deny any wrongdoing, insisting that the plan was always to return the dockets to KZN once they were “inspected.”

The commission chair, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, pointed out that the very act of removing the dockets had interfered with the investigations.

Sibiya’s defense grew more strained as the commission presented evidence that his actions were a direct violation of the disbandment action plan.

A March 2025 document stated that dockets tied to court cases should remain with the current investigators.

Yet Sibiya’s implementation plan removed these dockets from the investigators who knew the cases best, potentially sabotaging months or even years of work.

When Co-Commissioner Adv. Sandile Khumalo asked Sibiya if he had implemented his own plan rather than the official one, Sibiya could only respond with a grudging admission: “I will agree.”

The hearing continues.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics