Police general defends R70000 loan from suspect Cat Matlala

MAJOR-GENERAL Richard Shibiri, the suspended head of the SAPS Organised Crime Unit, had no need to borrow R70000 from alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, given that he and his son collectively had over R105 000.

- RAPULA MOATSHE [e-mail]

Commissioners at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry put this proposition to Shibiri yesterday following his testimony that he took a R70000 loan from Matlala to repair his son’s vehicle and denied it was a bribe.

However, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga highlighted that Shibiri had far more funds in his bank account than needed to repair his son’s car in 2024, contradicting his reason for borrowing from Matlala.

“You had a R50000 credit in your account and an overdraft facility of R44000 in your bank account,” Madlanga said.