Pretoria – Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya, testified before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, alleging a coordinated effort to bolster the social media presence of KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Sibiya claimed numerous social media posts favorable to Mkhwanazi were not organic, but rather deliberately orchestrated. This testimony forms part of the ongoing inquiry into allegations of political interference within the South African Police Service.
Sibiya, during his first day of testimony, stated he had been provided with names of individuals allegedly involved in managing Mkhwanazi’s online image. He further asserted that a parallel campaign was underway to discredit him personally. “I’m told there are many accounts on social media. Directly or indirectly, there is no way he is not involved,” Sibiya told the commission, according to reporting from eNCA. The allegations center around a perceived imbalance in social media attention, with Mkhwanazi receiving consistently positive coverage.
Claims of a Targeted Disinformation Campaign
When questioned about whether Mkhwanazi possessed a personal social media account, Sibiya responded that he was unaware. However, he emphasized that the pervasive online support for Mkhwanazi extended beyond what could be considered natural engagement. “If We see the case that he does not have control over what people say about him, it cannot be that it is only about General Mkhwanazi and not any other provincial commissioners. All the pictures, whether its camouflage, everything that is happening on a daily basis about Mkhwanazi is on social media,” Sibiya stated. He maintained his statements were not based on speculation, despite being pressed by Advocate Adila Hassim SC.
The testimony comes amid broader scrutiny of Mkhwanazi’s public profile, particularly his popularity on platforms like TikTok. Daily Maverick reported that Sibiya specifically referenced the impact of Mkhwanazi’s TikTok followers, alleging they were used to attack him. The term “flayed” was used to describe the intensity of the online criticism.
Sibiya Denies Allegations of Corruption
Sibiya’s testimony too included a denial of allegations that he accepted bribes from Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, an alleged organized crime boss and attempted murder accused. He dismissed evidence presented to the Commission suggesting financial exchanges, stating, “I have no knowledge or involvement in those exchanges and no information as to how the alleged messages were extracted, preserved or presented to the Commission.” Daily Maverick noted that the Commission is using a methodology similar to that employed by the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture to verify the authenticity of the WhatsApp messages in question.
Sibiya addressed claims made by Mkhwanazi himself, regarding the centralization of 121 dockets and alleged delays in arrests. These allegations, leveled by Mkhwanazi, suggested Sibiya’s complicity in criminal activity. Sibiya refuted these claims, offering no further details at this time.
What to Watch Next
The Madlanga Commission’s inquiry is ongoing, and further testimony is expected to shed light on the allegations of political interference and orchestrated social media campaigns within the SAPS. The commission is expected to continue hearing evidence related to the claims of docket centralization and delayed arrests. The outcome of the commission could have significant implications for the leadership and integrity of the South African Police Service.
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