By Mapaballo Borotho

- SAPS has dismissed Organised Crime head Richard Shibiri after he was found guilty of misconduct during an internal disciplinary process.
- The dismissal follows his testimony before the Madlanga Commission, where he acknowledged receiving a R70,000 loan from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala without declaring it to his employer.
- Shibiri maintained that the money was a personal loan, while SAPS found that his conduct brought the organisation into disrepute.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed Major General Richard Shibiri, the head of Organised Crime, following a disciplinary process that found him guilty of misconduct.
Shibiri’s dismissal comes two months after his appearance before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he testified about his relationship with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
According to SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, Shibiri was found guilty of conduct that brought the organisation into disrepute.
“The disciplinary proceedings were conducted in accordance with applicable SAPS prescripts and principles of procedural fairness. Major General Shibiri was found guilty of misconduct relating to conduct that brought the organisation into disrepute, including associating himself with a known criminal,” said Mathe.
During his testimony before the commission, Shibiri admitted that he had received R70,000 from Matlala and had not disclosed the transaction to his employer.
At the commission, Shibiri maintained that the money was a personal loan intended to help repair his son’s vehicle and not a form of gratification.
He further testified that he had repaid the full amount, with R20,000 paid in cash and the remaining R50,000 transferred into Matlala’s bank account.
Matlala has featured prominently in testimony before the Madlanga Commission, where various allegations regarding his alleged links to criminal networks have been raised. These allegations remain the subject of ongoing investigations and proceedings.
Shibiri’s dismissal marks the latest development arising from matters that have come under scrutiny during the commission’s hearings.
SAPS has not yet indicated whether any further disciplinary or criminal processes will follow.
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