The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has heard how the head of organised crime, Major-General Richard Shibiri, tried to interfere in the murder case of Vereeniging engineer, Armand Swart.

Witness A has told the commission that General Shibiri called him and witness B to tell them that the suspects arrested for Swart’s murder were very dangerous people.

Three people were arrested for Swart’s murder in April 2024, namely veteran police officer Michael Pule Tau, Musa Kekana and Floyd Mabusela.

Witness A says that he and witness B were concerned when Shibiri tried securing the release of the suspects outside the formal court processes.

“We left the meeting feeling very concerned not only because General Shibiri confirmed our fears that very powerful people were involved in the murder; but also because he had implied that he knew as a fact that there was a bribe ready for us if we were willing. Essentially, our most senior official had informed us about a bribe in exchange for compromising the investigation in order to secure the accused person’s release.”

WATCH] Witness A tells the Madlanga Commission that in mid-May 2025, Witness B informed him that they had received a call from their commander, Colonel Mokoena, saying that the national head of SAPS Organised Crime, Major-General Richard Shibiri, wanted to see them to be briefed… pic.twitter.com/ukSBxfLMbV

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 20, 2025

[WATCH] Witness A tells the Madlanga Commission why it was important to provide security for the Armand Swart murder case docket, saying, “We thought that if they don’t find us, they will want to find the docket.” pic.twitter.com/sAeQNCs6ja

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 20, 2025