Yes, I Know Brown Mogotsi and Cat Matlala, Shadrack Sibiya Admits

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, has confirmed under oath that he knows both controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi and murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. The admission came during his testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating serious allegations of political interference and criminal infiltration in the police service.

The committee was established in response to explosive claims made by KwaZulu Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who testified at the Madlanga Commission and during earlier parliamentary hearings. Mkhwanazi alleged that senior police officials protected known criminal figures and that internal operations were deliberately compromised.

Speaking during the committee session, Sibiya sought to clarify the nature of his connections to Mogotsi and Matlala, insisting there were no personal or improper ties. However, his acknowledgment of direct contact with the two men has drawn national attention, particularly because both individuals were prominently mentioned by Mkhwanazi in relation to organised crime and political patronage.

Sibiya told the committee that he was first contacted by Mogotsi via a phone call in which Mogotsi informed him that Crime Intelligence was investigating Sibiya himself. He said that while the interaction raised concerns, he reported the call to the National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, and retained Mogotsi’s number for record purposes.

“I know Brown Mogotsi. I know him as an activist from the North West. I did not know him personally, but I Googled him and found a video clip where he was commenting during an interview related to a former premier in the North West,” Sibiya explained.

Their first face-to-face meeting occurred at the ANC’s January 8 celebration in Cape Town, which Sibiya attended in his official capacity. Mogotsi reportedly asked to meet for breakfast, but the meeting ended awkwardly when Mogotsi forgot to pay for his meal. According to Sibiya, Mogotsi later called and asked him to settle the bill. Sibiya refused, stating that he had not invited him and had no obligation to cover the expense.

Sibiya also recounted his limited interactions with Cat Matlala, who is currently facing murder charges. He told the committee that Matlala had contacted him seeking assistance after claiming he was being denied access to a facility despite having secured a government tender. Sibiya said he did not meet with Matlala informally but invited him to his office for a formal meeting.

At the meeting, Matlala requested help with a lease confirmation. Sibiya said he assisted in drafting a letter confirming the lease agreement and addressed it to both the National Commissioner and the Department of Public Works. However, he noted that the matter did not proceed further without instruction from the department.

“My entire life, I have met Mr Matlala five times or fewer. We were not friends. It was just the beginning of knowing each other. I would say our interaction was very limited,” Sibiya said.

Despite Sibiya’s attempts to distance himself from the controversial figures, his admission has taken on added weight given the serious allegations presented by Mkhwanazi. During his testimony, Mkhwanazi painted a troubling picture of a police service compromised by political interference and criminal influence. He alleged that Matlala, who has long been suspected of leading an organised crime network, received protection from high-ranking officials. He claimed Matlala funded politicians and was repeatedly shielded from arrest and investigation.

Mkhwanazi also named Brown Mogotsi as a figure who had access to sensitive police intelligence and internal communications. He described incidents where Mogotsi appeared to have advance knowledge of police operations, suggesting a possible leak of classified information.

At the Madlanga Commission, Mkhwanazi testified that operations targeting known syndicates were repeatedly compromised and that individuals like Mogotsi and Matlala used their connections to escape accountability. He described seeing Mogotsi in the company of senior politicians and warned that this level of access posed a serious risk to operational integrity.

Sibiya’s confirmation that he knows both men has intensified the speculation on the depth of infiltration into the SAPS.

sifiso.mahlangu@inl.co.za