​“300 Tapes, Cat Matlala, and People Who Disappeared” Court Reads Message in Shadrack Sibiya Trial

The legal team of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has read a message transcript into the court record during his bail application at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court. The message mentions alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, “people who disappeared”, and senior officials and politicians. The defence presented the transcript to support Sibiya’s bid for release while he awaits trial.

The message comes from a man known only as Mr M, the father of a 16-year-old girl at the centre of the case. In the communication, Mr M speaks about records he says he kept of his dealings with Sibiya. He states that he will hand over information about all the cases, all the people who disappeared, all of Cat Matlala’s involvement, and all the senior officials and politicians if statements about him continue. He also claims to have about 300 voice recordings, photographs, and other material stored on a USB drive that he kept for his own protection.

Sibiya faces several serious charges. These include the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May, the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl through WhatsApp messages between July and August, human trafficking, and a breach of the Firearms Control Act. Police arrested him last month at a strip club in Sandton. He has remained in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II prison since then. He has denied the allegations and indicated through his lawyers that he intends to plead not guilty.

The state is opposing bail. Investigating officers have told the court that Sibiya could endanger the safety of witnesses or interfere with the case if he is released. Earlier in the hearing, the prosecution played recordings in which Sibiya is heard speaking to Mr M about money he says he gave him and warning that he could “deal with him very quickly and easily”. The defence has argued that the words were taken out of context and do not amount to a threat.

On Wednesday the court also heard an affidavit from Sibiya’s wife, Sizakele Dlamini. She said Mr M contacted her first to explain why he laid the charges and that no one from her family asked anyone to approach him. The magistrate postponed the bail application to 13 October so the state can consider the new documents and prepare further affidavits. Sibiya will stay in custody until then. The case has drawn public attention because of Sibiya’s senior position in the police and earlier claims linking him to Cat Matlala at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Source: https://x.com/SABCNews/status/2107802348865142802

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