By Marcus Moloko
EFF leader Julius Malema on Friday said Parliament’s ad hoc committee needed answers about why no action had been taken against the head of SAPS’s organised crime unit, Major General Richard Shibiri, for allegedly approaching an investigation officer to not oppose bail in the murder case of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
Malema also asked why there were no clear answers on whether Shibiri was placed on suspension despite the serious allegations against him.
ALSO READ: Khumalo tells ad hoc committee ‘misinformation campaign’ targeted Crime Intelligence reforms
The committee is investigating claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that underworld figures have infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system, and that SAPS has been subjected to extensive political interference.
Crime Intelligence boss Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, who is currently testifying before the committee, said it remained unclear if Shibiri was placed on suspension.
Khumalo told the committee that a senior public prosecutor wrote to the provincial and national commissioners, highlighting threats to the Swart investigation and the investigating officers probing former warrant officer, Pule Tau, who was identified as one of the alleged organisers of hit men within the crime syndicate that assassinated Swart.
ALSO READ: Dion George quits DA, cites “intolerable” rift with Steenhuisen
Tau was in custody and appealed for bail. Senior officers approached the investigating officers and said that bail should not be opposed, the committee heard.
Khumalo claimed the arrangement came from Shibiri, and that three envelopes containing bribes were prepared for the detective, prosecutor, and magistrate.
“We have a sworn affidavit to that,” he said, adding that bail was successful despite opposition in court.
Malema asked: “Why is Shibiri loitering in the offices of the police? Why is Shibiri not arrested? This doesn’t need us (the ad hoc committee), it doesn’t need the [Madlanga] commission.”
Committee chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, asked if Shibiri was on suspension. Khumalo said he was unsure.
ALSO READ: WATCH: ‘Lots of possibilities’ Shadrack Sibiya could be arrested, says Khumalo
Lekganyane said the committee would write to the head of SAPS and request clarity on the matter.
“Serious issues of this nature, disciplinary processes should have kicked in immediately, and then the criminal process should be at an advanced stage. We need to know if he is still there, and if he is still there, why?,” asked Malema to the committee.
Lekganyane said the committee hoped for a response by Monday.
INSIDE POLITICS