By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended SAPS Organised Crime head Major-General Richard Shibiri has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that his controversial “three envelopes” remarks to two detectives investigating the murder of Armand Swart were a protective warning; not an attempt to facilitate corruption.
Shibiri was responding to evidence from Witness A and Witness B, who previously testified that less than a month after Swart’s murder and the arrest of the alleged hitmen, they were called into a meeting where he referred to “three envelopes” allegedly available to secure bail: one for the investigating officer, one for the prosecutor and one for the magistrate.
“Any reference made during the meeting of money envelopes or bags of money was direct repetition of the intelligence received from the source. It was not a suggestion or instruction or endorsement of corruption. I expressly cautioned the investigator not to accept any bribe,” he said.
On Wednesday afternoon, Shibiri insisted his remarks were based on intelligence he had received and were intended to alert and protect the investigators in a meeting on 16 May 2024.
“I informed Witness A and B that the accused in the Swart murder case were considered dangerous contract killers and that they were allegedly attempting to bribe the investigating officer, prosecutor, or the magistrate,” he testified.
He said the purpose of the meeting was to reassure and encourage the detectives.
“I wanted also to brief them physically in order to encourage them because I was involved in a similar situation myself and to say what must happen, what will happen and what must they do in order to enjoy this thing and work until the end,” he said.
Shibiri said that he informed them that even if they were offered money, accepting such money would not eliminate the risk to their lives and emphasized that the offence under which they were investigating was a serious Schedule 6 offence with formal and rigorous bail proceedings.
The component head said he recommended that Crime Intelligence conduct a formal threat assessment and that protective measures, including safe house arrangements if necessary, be considered.
“I advised that the matter be treated as a major project or investigation and that the investigative team should not be burdened with additional dockets to preserve the focus on operational integrity,” Shibiri said.
He firmly denied any corrupt intent, describing the allegations as false and a distortion of the truth.
“I did not distribute envelopes or did not provide money, I did not solicit bribes. I did not suggest concealment of evidence. I did not instruct the investigators to participate in any corrupt conduct more especially to disrupt the course of justice with regard to pending application and appeal thereof,” Shibiri maintained.
Shibiri also addressed a 16 December 2024 phone call with Witness A, which Witness B said she overheard.
He confirmed telling the detectives that “we needed to be careful because the people that we are dealing with are heartless,” but denied suggesting that senior officers wanted information for improper purposes.
He acknowledged being contacted by Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya after complaints from murder accused Katiso Molefe’s family, but denied any attempt to interfere in the Swart investigation.
When asked for testimony from Crime Intelligence head Major-General Dumisani Khumalo at Parliament’s ad-hoc committee, Shibiri refuted the allegations that he attempted to convince the investigating officer to oppose bail for the accused, stressing that bail decisions are outside the police authority.
The commission adjourned, with the suspended component head to continue with his testimony on Friday.
INSIDE POLITICS