Madlanga Commission ‘concerned’ about senior cops’ fear to name suspected crime kingpins

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry said it’s “concerning” that some senior police officials are scared to publicly name suspected crime cartel bosses.

This comes after the suspended head of the South African Police Service (SAPS) organised crime, Richard Shibiri, protested to the playing of audio recordings between him and Witness A, an officer under his unit.

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Witness A was investigating suspected crime cartel boss Katiso "KT" Molefe and his role in orchestrating the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.

Shibiri asked the commission not to play the audio, saying the contents may put his life in danger.

While a portion of the audio was eventually played, commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga said Shibiri is the second general, following the head of Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, to express a fear of criminals.

“So, who will freely fight organised crime if people at that level are so fearful just to mention the names of people who are alleged to be players in that environment? It’s quite concerning… Yes, the general is human and he should be quite fearful for his own safety, but then that doesn’t detract from my concern over who then will fight organised crime.”