How Lieutenant General Sibiya’s Insubordination Exposed Criminal Links and Shook SAPS Command Structure

PRETORIA, South Africa – Testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has revealed how Lieutenant General Sibiya’s defiance of direct orders during the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) crisis exposed deep cracks in the South African Police Service (SAPS) command structure and raised troubling questions about criminal infiltration at the highest levels of law enforcement.

The Defiance That Sparked a Crisis

On 14 and 15 January 2025, Sibiya approached National Commissioner Fannie Masemola with a draft letter formalizing the disbandment of the PKTT. Each time, Masemola refused to authorize the order, instructing: “Leave it to me. I’ll deal with it.”

But on 17 January 2025, just a day after Police Minister Senzo Mchunu received a briefing on the issue, Sibiya signed the letter himself—directly violating his superior’s explicit instructions.

“This decision circumvented the clear instruction of the national commissioner,” testified Maj-General Petronella van Rooyen, SAPS legal chief. “It simply doesn’t work that way in the police. Discipline in the chain of command is fundamental.”

READ: SAPS Legal Chief: Minister Mchunu's Order to Disband Crime Task Team Was Unlawful, Court Told

Suspicious Urgency and External Pressure

Evidence before the commission suggested that Sibiya had pushed for the PKTT’s dissolution even before the Minister’s 31 December 2024 directive, raising concerns that his actions were driven by external interests rather than legitimate operational needs.

His persistent advocacy for disbandment, coupled with the timing of his unilateral action, fueled suspicions that criminal networks were influencing SAPS decision-making.

Explosive Revelations: Phone Records and Criminal Cartels

The most damaging evidence emerged from phone records obtained during an attempted murder investigation. According to Commissioner Masemola’s testimony, these records revealed communications between Sibiya and individuals linked to an organized criminal cartel.

“Subsequent phone records revealed that Sibiya’s actions were not merely procedural,” Van Rooyen told the commission. “They were tied to deeper connections with members of a criminal network seeking protection from ongoing investigations.”

This revelation suggested that the disbandment of the PKTT may have been intended to shield cartel members from prosecution.

The Ministerial Connection

Further testimony indicated that Minister Mchunu’s chief of staff and Sibiya were “advocating together for the immediate disbandment” of the PKTT.

This unusual alignment between a deputy national commissioner and ministerial staff bypassed the established SAPS command structure, raising alarms about political interference in policing operations.

Implications for SAPS Command and Oversight

Sibiya’s conduct not only undermined Commissioner Masemola’s authority but also exposed systemic weaknesses in SAPS governance.

• Chain of Command Breakdown: A deputy commissioner overriding the national commissioner undermines operational integrity.
• Oversight Gaps: Civilian and parliamentary oversight bodies lacked the ability to prevent such internal defiance.
• Operational Confusion: The unlawful directive created uncertainty within SAPS ranks, hampering investigations and enabling outside manipulation.

Van Rooyen warned: “The police require a clear chain of command. When that is broken, the door opens to corruption and criminal interference.”

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Accountability and Institutional Reform

The commission heard that disciplinary mechanisms exist within SAPS to deal with insubordination. However, questions remain about whether Sibiya was shielded by powerful networks within the organization.

His actions not only sabotaged the PKTT but also highlighted how a single compromised official can create institutional chaos, derail investigations, and serve the interests of criminal cartels.

Looking Ahead: A Test for SAPS Integrity

As the Madlanga Commission prepares to hear Sibiya’s own testimony, the case has become a litmus test for accountability within SAPS. The findings will determine whether the police can restore discipline, close vulnerabilities, and resist infiltration by political or criminal actors.

Lieutenant General Sibiya’s insubordination is no longer seen as just a disciplinary issue—it is a warning about the fragility of South Africa’s policing system and the urgent need for institutional reform to safeguard law enforcement from corruption and external influence.