By Johnathan Paoli
Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, has been placed on a leave of absence by the South African Police Service (SAPS) following a series of explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Reports have confirmed that Sibiya was summoned to a closed-door meeting on Tuesday afternoon by fellow deputy commissioner Tebello Mosikili, who relayed the instruction on behalf of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
The directive was clear: while not suspended, Sibiya was asked to remain at home until investigations into the allegations are concluded.
“As for now, I’ve been asked to say, ‘we are not suspending you but because there are investigations ongoing, we suggest that you stay at home’. And this is what I’ve accepted as well, and I am happy to do so,” Sibiya told EWN.
The allegations stem from bombshell claims made by Mkhwanazi two weeks ago, implicating Sibiya in efforts to undermine the KZN political killings task team.
Mkhwanazi alleged that Sibiya colluded with controversial information peddler Brown Mogotsi and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to have the task team disbanded.
Sibiya, in turn, dismissed the claims as baseless lies, accusing Mkhwanazi of acting out of anger after the arrest of his close ally and Crime Intelligence boss, Dumisani Khumalo.
Sibiya’s placement on leave comes amid growing turmoil within the upper ranks of SAPS and intensifying political fallout over the allegations.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision last week to place Mchunu on special leave and appoint a judicial commission of inquiry has further fuelled tensions.
The Commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate’s operations.
These institutions include SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane.
Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has been tasked with stabilising the department while the inquiry unfolds.
Cachalia, who has already announced plans to meet with both Commissioner Masemola and Mkhwanazi, expressed his determination in light of the circumstances.
“I have very strong views about the current situation. We must allow the commission to do its work while ensuring SAPS remains functional and accountable,” Cachalia said.
In a dramatic show of public support, hundreds of demonstrators marched through Durban under the banner #HandsOffMkhwanazi on Monday and Tuesday, calling for protection of the embattled KZN Commissioner.
The protest, attended by residents, civil society organisations, and political groups including the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, culminated in a memorandum being handed to General Masemola.
Protest organiser Teresa Nortje accused the President of shielding those implicated in corruption.
“We are not happy with the move that has been pulled by the President to put Mchunu on special leave with all perks paid. That is unethical. He should have been suspended without pay,” Nortje said.
Nortje added that Mkhwanazi has been there for the citizens of the province.
“We want South Africa to know that we back him 100%. We don’t even want to speak about the consequences that might happen if anything happens to him,” she said.
Fellow organiser Vincent Mdunge echoed these sentiments, calling Mkhwanazi a whistleblower and demanding systemic reform.
“The President must overhaul the entire justice cluster. We also want the Political Killings Task Team resuscitated and we want it now,” Mdunge said.
MK Party Deputy President John Hlophe and MP David Skosana have announced plans to mobilise a large-scale protest to the Union Buildings, demanding full protection for Mkhwanazi and challenging the legitimacy of Professor Cachalia’s appointment as Acting Minister.
The party is reportedly preparing legal papers to contest the appointment in the Constitutional Court, arguing that there cannot be two ministers simultaneously appointed to the same portfolio.
Meanwhile, ANC Veterans League deputy president Mavuso Msimang welcomed Ramaphosa’s decision to launch the commission of inquiry, calling it “the only logical and lawful way forward.”
However, Amnesty International South Africa sounded the alarm on the broader implications.
Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed described the situation as “a serious indictment of South Africa’s justice system” and urged for criminal prosecutions to follow the commission’s findings swiftly.
KwaZulu-Natal violence monitor Mary de Haas called for calm and evidence-based processes.
“There is another side to this story. Anyone with information on the allegations must come forward and assist the commission. The Political Killings Task Team has not achieved convictions. We need clarity and accountability,” she said.
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