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Madlanga Commission Bombshell: Witness Links Malema to Sibiya Through Sandton Businessman
A detective testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has shaken the room with claims that EFF leader Julius Malema has close personal ties to suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and to a wealthy Sandton businessman allegedly linked to mining operations in the North West.
The witness, known only as “Witness A” for his safety, took the stand on Tuesday in partially closed proceedings. His testimony added another layer of intrigue to the commission, which is probing allegations of corruption, organised crime, and underworld influence within South Africa’s law enforcement ranks.
A Web of Connections
According to Witness A, he received the information directly from the head of Organised Crime in South Africa, General Richard Shibiri, shortly after the arrest of North West millionaire Katiso “KT” Molefe in December.
“Shibiri told me that Molefe was part of a group of five individuals with mining interests in the North West,” Witness A said. “He also mentioned a man known as ZE Nxumalo, who lives in Sandton. He said ZE is a close friend of Julius Malema, who, in turn, has close ties with General Sibiya.”
In essence, the detective testified, Shibiri had drawn a chain of association connecting Molefe, Nxumalo, Malema, and Sibiya.
It’s important to note, however, that nothing in Witness A’s statement directly implicates Malema in any criminal activity under investigation by the Madlanga Commission.
Witness Under Protection
The detective’s testimony was not only revealing it was emotional. Witness A, who has been investigating criminal cartels and the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, broke down as he described the personal toll of his work.
After his team cracked the Swart murder case, Witness A and a fellow investigator, Witness B, were placed under 24-hour protection at a safe house due to threats on their lives.
Despite the constant danger, Witness A said he would not change a thing.
“I’ve met the families of victims,” he said tearfully. “When they thank us for fighting for justice, even in cases where arrests haven’t yet been made, that gratitude makes it all worth it.”
Background: Why the Madlanga Commission Matters
The Madlanga Commission, established earlier this year, has been investigating widespread claims of police corruption, political interference, and organised criminal infiltration within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The inquiry has already exposed several high-ranking officials accused of colluding with criminal networks, allegations that have placed the integrity of the police service under national scrutiny.
Sibiya, who was suspended earlier this year, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. His name has surfaced several times in testimonies involving questionable dealings and alleged interference in criminal investigations.
Public Reaction and Political Undercurrents
Social media erupted shortly after news broke that Malema’s name had been mentioned in the testimony. On X (formerly Twitter), EFF supporters were quick to defend their leader, dismissing the claims as “political theatre” designed to smear Malema ahead of the party’s upcoming anniversary rally.
Others, however, called for transparency. “If Malema’s name comes up in a sworn testimony, it deserves investigation, not denial,” one user wrote.
Political analysts have noted that this latest revelation could deepen tensions between the EFF and law enforcement, particularly given Malema’s longstanding criticism of what he calls the “corrupt elite” within SAPS.
The commission’s hearings have underscored a grim reality, that South Africa’s fight against organised crime is being complicated by mistrust and internal rivalries within law enforcement.
For many citizens, the idea that senior police generals and politicians might be intertwined with wealthy business figures raises difficult questions about accountability and justice in the country.
Witness A’s emotional testimony, linking powerful names to each other through layers of alleged association, may not yet prove wrongdoing. But it has opened a conversation about how deep South Africa’s criminal undercurrents really run, and who may be steering them from the shadows.
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