Suspended organised crime head Major-General Richard Shibiri fired

Suspended organised crime head Major-General Richard Shibiri has been fired.

According to reports, Shibiri’s dismissal was recommended by a disciplinary hearing for bringing the South African Police Service (Saps) into disrepute by associating with murder-accused Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

Dismissal

Shibiri received his dismissal letter on 22 May 2026. The top cop is expected to challenge this decision at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

His devices have also been returned by the Madlanga Commission task team.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the dismissal of Shibiri, following the conclusion of internal disciplinary processes.

“The disciplinary proceedings were conducted in accordance with applicable Saps prescripts and principles of procedural fairness. Major General Shibiri was found guilty of misconduct relating to conduct that brought the organisation into disrepute, including associating himself with a known criminal.”

Mathe told The Citizen that they cannot provide further comment as Shibiri is no longer in the employ of the Saps.

Madlanga Commission

Shibiri returned to the commission in March 2026, where a heated exchange arose over the loan he took from Matlala.

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said there was no need for Shibiri to take a loan from Matlala to fix his son’s car.

The commission heard that Shibiri and his son had at least R105 000 between them, while the repairs required only up to R55 000. Shibiri had a balance of R50 000 and an overdraft limit of R44 000.

The commission chair argued that Shibiri had sufficient funds in his bank account.

“That basically means you had far more than you required to finance the repairs to your son’s car. That is, if you add what was in your own account in credit and also the overdraft facility you had with the bank,” said Madlanga.

Additional reporting by Vhahangwele Nemakonde

*This is a developing story