Malema’s name comes up during Witness A’s testimony


EFF leader Julius Malema’s name has been mentioned at the Madlanga Commission. Witness A has testified that Malema is close friends with suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

However, nothing about Witness A’s testimony links Malema to the allegations being investigated by the commission.

Witness A says he was informed about Malema’s alleged close relationship with Sibiya by the head of organised crime, General Richard Shibiri.

“He said Zee is a close friend of Julius Malema whose a politician who then tends to be closed with General Sibiya. So, he was connecting the person that we are arrested to Zee and then Zee to Julius Malema and then Julius who is friends with General Sibiya the deputy national commissioner,” says Witness A.

Witness A broke down at the Madlanga Commission while concluding his remarks today.

Witness A, a detective investigating criminal cartels testified at the commission about how his team managed to crack the murder of Vereeniging Engineer, Armand Swart. This subsequently came at a high cost to him, as this led to him and his co-detective witness B being under 24-hour protection at a safe house.

In the conclusion of his evidence, Witness A says even if the option of staying in a safe house under 24-hour protection were not available, he would still do it again.

“I have met the families of the victims and when I speak to them they are grateful for the work that we are doing as a team. Even those families where arrests have not yet been made, they appreciate that someone is working on the case to bring justice to their loved ones. The satisfaction that I am making and making a difference (breaks down).”

Crime Cartels | State of SA’s criminal justice system: In conversation with Chad Thomas