A Gauteng detective has testified that Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema maintains a close relationship with suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya and a prominent Sandton businessman....Click to Read More >>➤
The detective, identified only as Witness A, made these claims before the Madlanga Commission on Tuesday. His testimony occurred partially behind closed doors. He is a key member of the task team investigating the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart.
During his public evidence, the detective described a phone call he received from Major General Richard Shibiri, the head of Organised Crime in South Africa. This call happened shortly after the arrest of multi-millionaire Katiso “KT” Molefe in December 2024.
Alleged Network of Business and Political Links
According to the detective’s account, Shibiri informed him that Molefe belonged to a group of five individuals with significant mining interests in the North West province. The group allegedly included businessman ZE Nxumalo, a Sandton resident.
Witness A stated that Shibiri identified Nxumalo as a close friend of Julius Malema. The detective further testified that Shibiri claimed the EFF leader also tends to be close to General Shadrack Sibiya. This testimony directly links the suspended senior police official to the political figure and a business network.
The commission is currently investigating allegations of corruption and misconduct within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. These new claims about Julius Malema and Shadrack Sibiya are expected to form a crucial part of that broader probe into the intersection of business, politics, and policing.
The detective’s assertion about Julius Malema adds a significant political dimension to the commission’s work. It suggests a network where high-level political connections, business interests in the lucrative mining sector, and senior law enforcement officials may intersect.
These revelations come amid the ongoing, high-profile investigation into the murder of Armand Swart. The task team’s work has already led to several arrests, including that of Molefe, and has now unexpectedly uncovered these alleged connections involving Julius Malema.
The commission will continue to hear evidence as it seeks to untangle the complex web of relationships described by the detective. The public portion of Witness A’s testimony has concluded, but the inquiry continues its work in both open and closed sessions. ...Click to Read More >>➤
