Businessman Imran Bat has accused suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya of being linked to an alleged criminal network, saying he is consulting the Madlanga Commission about giving evidence against the senior police officer.
Bat’s claims come as Sibiya faces renewed scrutiny following his arrest on sexual offence and human-trafficking charges, while allegations surrounding his conduct as a senior police officer remain under investigation.
The allegations made by Bat have not been tested in court, and Sibiya has previously denied allegations of corruption and improper relationships with alleged criminal figures.
Bat wants to testify before Madlanga Commission
Bat, who attended Sibiya’s appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 September, said he was preparing to approach the Madlanga Commission with information about Sibiya and people he alleges are connected to him.
Bat said he wanted to expose what he described as criminal networks allegedly operating around Sibiya.
“I will expose the gangs Sibiya is working with such as the Chinese and other thugs, including other Generals involved,” Bat was quoted as saying.
Bat has indicated that he is consulting about appearing before the commission and giving evidence.
Sibiya’s earlier connection to Bat
Bat is not a new name in the Sibiya matter.
While giving evidence before the Madlanga Commission in February, Sibiya himself referred to Bat when discussing a fraud case that had previously been opened against him.
Sibiya told the commission that the 2015 fraud case stemmed from allegations made by Bat, whom he described as a Pakistani national he had investigated in relation to alleged human trafficking.
The earlier dispute is significant because it establishes that Bat and Sibiya had crossed paths before the current allegations emerged.
Sibiya has disputed the claims made against him and has suggested that some of the allegations are connected to internal conflicts within the South African Police Service.
What the Madlanga Commission has heard about Sibiya
Sibiya’s wider controversy stems from allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July 2025.
The allegations included claims that Sibiya interfered with sensitive investigations and was involved in the decision to disband the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team.
The commission also examined the removal of 121 case dockets from the task team and allegations concerning Sibiya’s relationship with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and other individuals linked in testimony to organised crime.
Sibiya denied corruption and denied receiving benefits from Matlala. He also disputed allegations that he deliberately acted to protect criminal interests.
During his evidence, however, Sibiya acknowledged that the political killings task team was effectively disbanded without its work first being subjected to a formal review.
Commission recommends criminal investigation
The matter moved beyond allegations in August when President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the Madlanga Commission had recommended disciplinary proceedings and immediate criminal investigations into Sibiya.
The recommendation was contained in the commission’s second interim report, submitted to Ramaphosa on 29 May 2026.
The commission recommended that criminal conduct allegedly involving Sibiya be investigated and that criminal proceedings be instituted if sufficient evidence is found. The recommendation also covered Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, Brown Mogotsi and an individual identified as Witness G.
The commission’s final report is expected to be submitted on 16 November 2026.
New criminal case adds to pressure on Sibiya
Sibiya’s legal troubles have since expanded beyond the allegations examined by the Madlanga Commission.
He was arrested on Monday, 21 September, by members of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team and appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court the following day.
He faces five charges, including rape, sexual grooming and trafficking in persons. According to the charge sheet reported by Business Day, the allegations include the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman in May 2026 and the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August.
The case was postponed to 29 September for a possible bail application, with Sibiya remaining in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. The state is opposing bail.
The allegations remain before the courts and Sibiya has not been convicted of the offences.
Bat’s allegations remain to be tested
Bat’s latest allegations against Sibiya are therefore unfolding against the backdrop of several separate investigations and proceedings.
The businessman says he wants an opportunity to give evidence to the Madlanga Commission and provide information about people he alleges are connected to Sibiya.
For now, those claims remain allegations. The commission’s recommendations for further investigation are not findings of criminal guilt, while Sibiya remains entitled to the presumption of innocence in the criminal matters before the courts.
The Madlanga Commission has said its final report will provide its conclusions after considering the evidence placed before it.
