Madlanga Commission: Shibiri denies corrupt alliance with ‘Cat’ Matlala

By Johnathan Paoli

Suspended SAPS Organised Crime head Major-General Richard Shibiri has maintained that his relationship with alleged criminal businessman Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala was that of a long-standing acquaintance who once assisted him with a personal loan and not a corrupt alliance.

Resuming his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry after lunch, Shibiri testified on his ties to Matlala whom he had known for years.

“I have known Mr Vusi Cat Matlala as a businessman for several years. I met him in a social setting through a friend of mine who had previously served as a police officer and who was at that time an acquaintance of Matlala,” Shibiri said.

They lost contact and reconnected in 2019 when Shibiri and another officer visited Matlala regarding “a person of interest who was the subject of an investigation”.

“Information available was that Mr Matlala was providing VIP security service to this