Sibiya Accuses Mkhwanazi Of Using Press Conference For Police Succession Battle, Not Corruption Exposure

Deputy National Commissioner Lt General Shadrack Sibiya told Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee that General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s July press conference had little to do with corruption or the disbandment of the Political Task Team, but everything to do with internal succession battles within the South African Police Service.

Responding to Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach, Sibiya said the public was being misled into believing the press briefing was about cleaning up the police. Instead, he argued, “This, according to me, is about a succession battle within the police.”

Sibiya claimed that after media reports linked him to the possible replacement of Hawks head General Godfrey Lebeya, a campaign was launched to tarnish his reputation.

“I had an interview where I was asked if I would be available should the opportunity arise. I said, well, given that opportunity, I will go,” he said. “And as a result of that, you will see newspaper articles that say Sibiya versus Mosiliki versus Mkhwanazi.”

He alleged that the situation escalated after the arrest of Lt General Dumisani Khumalo, which reportedly angered Mkhwanazi. According to Sibiya, Mkhwanazi sent a threatening message quoting a Tupac song, saying, “I’ll kill them at night when they’re sleeping.”

“Preemptive Strike” and Alleged Interference in Investigations

Sibiya described Mkhwanazi’s press conference as a “preemptive strike” driven by suspicion over who was behind the arrest of senior officers. He said some officers warned him that he was next in line to be arrested. “You’ll get members who say, don’t go to work on Monday, they say you’re going to be arrested,” Sibiya told the committee.

When rumours reached him, he said he confronted the National Commissioner, who dismissed the claims, saying, “No, no, no, don’t put me in there. I’m not about to be arrested.”

Sibiya also detailed how Mkhwanazi allegedly interfered in investigations. He cited an operation at Qalakabusha Correctional Services, claiming that Mkhwanazi called the suspect being searched and ordered officers to stop. “That’s interference. That’s defeating. If it was done by someone else, that person would have been suspended,” he said.

He added that Mkhwanazi’s alleged interference extended to a case involving a ballistics expert. “If he sent his team to go and kidnap a ballistics expert, seize the laptop, take the laptop, the files — that is obstruction of justice, interference,” Sibiya argued.

Claims of Manipulation, Media Campaigns and Double Standards

Sibiya accused Mkhwanazi of manipulating public opinion, saying, “He’s playing a mind game with the country and he’s actually playing those that are prepared to listen to him.” He also dismissed claims that sensitive dockets were being kept in his office, saying, “I don’t have dockets in my office. I don’t have that.”

He explained that the dockets Mkhwanazi referred to were old and inactive. “Those dockets were dead a long time ago. They are still dead now,” he said.

Sibiya further criticised what he viewed as double standards in the police service, suggesting that other officers would be disciplined for similar conduct. “Maybe I should also wear camouflage,” he said. “Maybe I should also wear one, go and make a conference as well and talk things. But I will be fired from the podium same time.”

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He accused Mkhwanazi of using social media to build a loyal following. “No police official is allowed to do what General Mkhwanazi is doing. No provincial commissioner you will see on TikTok. He’s the only one that campaign and funded on TikTok,” Sibiya said.

Sibiya also condemned what he described as threats made by Mkhwanazi towards Parliament members.

“That is why he’s able to come here in this House and threaten members of this House and say, you don’t touch the members of intelligence because you are forcing them to respond, and once they respond, they will talk. We can’t allow such a situation as a country to continue.”

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