Crime Intel Bombshell: Sibiya Linked to Bakkie Registered to Man with 18 Hijacking Convictions

Crime Intel Bombshell: Sibiya Linked to Bakkie Registered to Man with 18 Hijacking Convictions

In an explosive revelation before the Madlanga Commission this week, South Africa’s Crime Intelligence chief Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo testified that Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya was repeatedly seen driving a Toyota bakkie registered to a man with a staggering criminal record, including 18 hijacking convictions.

The man in question, Stuart James Scharnick from Durban, reportedly has 34 criminal cases on record, 18 ending in convictions, 11 withdrawn, and 5 resulting in acquittals. Yet, it remains unclear whether Scharnick has ever served time behind bars.

A Car, a Convicted Man, and a Deputy Police Chief

Testifying in Pretoria on Tuesday, Khumalo told the commission that the vehicle driven by Sibiya on 9 October , the day of a controversial police raid, was officially registered to Scharnick.

“Our records confirm both the registration details and the driver associated with that period,” Khumalo said.

The revelation drew audible gasps from those present in the hearing room, not least because Scharnick, a man known to law enforcement for decades, has now been linked to one of the country’s highest-ranking police officials.

Adding to the intrigue, Khumalo told the commission that Scharnick was also spotted inside Parliament last month during the ad hoc committee inquiry where Sibiya himself gave testimony. Scharnick, reportedly acting as one of Sibiya’s close protection officers, attended the hearings throughout.

Criminal Past on Full Display

During his presentation, Khumalo displayed what he described as a “detailed profile” of Scharnick, complete with the nature of the charges, convictions, and dates.

“Most of the cases relate to vehicle hijackings,” he told the commission. “Our investigation includes verified information on the daily movements of the vehicle, which assists us in confirming the driver and the registered owner.”

The testimony forms part of a broader investigation into potential misconduct and conflicts of interest among senior police officers a key mandate of the Madlanga Commission, established earlier this year to restore integrity within South Africa’s law enforcement leadership.

“The purpose of this evidence is to confirm the link between the car, the driver, and the owner,” Khumalo added.

Questions Mount Over Police Integrity

The revelation has sent ripples through police ranks and social media alike. Many South Africans, already skeptical of law enforcement transparency, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express disbelief that a senior officer could be so closely associated with a man of Scharnick’s background.

One user wrote, “If a top cop drives a hijacker’s car, how are we supposed to trust anyone in uniform?” Another commented, “SAPS must stop investigating citizens and start investigating itself.”

These reactions echo long-standing frustrations about alleged corruption and internal collusion within the South African Police Service (SAPS) particularly involving elite units like the Hawks, which Sibiya previously led in Gauteng.

Lingering Questions Around the Sandton Raid

Commissioners also raised concerns about a takedown operation at the home of alleged underworld figure Katiso “KT” Molefe in Sandton, questioning whether the Hawks’ involvement constituted interference or overreach.

While no conclusions were reached, the matter highlighted the blurred lines between official policing operations and personal alliances within law enforcement circles.

Khumalo is expected to continue his testimony on Wednesday, providing more details on the nature of Sibiya’s connection to Scharnick and whether the relationship points to deeper criminal entanglements within the police hierarchy.

A Moment of Reckoning for SAPS

The unfolding events at the Madlanga Commission mark a defining moment for the SAPS, a test of whether accountability can truly reach the upper echelons of the force.

For years, whistleblowers and internal investigators have warned that organized crime has seeped into policing structures, compromising operations and eroding public confidence.

Now, as the commission peels back the layers, the question is not just about a bakkie or a convicted man, but whether South Africa’s police leadership can clean up its own ranks before public trust disappears entirely.

The Madlanga Commission has unearthed troubling links between Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and a convicted hijacker’s vehicle, raising red flags about police credibility. With Khumalo’s testimony set to continue, all eyes are now on Pretoria and on whether the country’s most powerful cops can finally be held to the same standards as those they pursue.

{Source: IOL}

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