The Madlanga Commission has heard evidence raising grave questions about the integrity of senior leadership in the South African Police Service (SAPS). The testimony directly linked Deputy National Police Commissioner Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya to a vehicle owned by a person who has been described as: “a serial hijacker.”

The Madlanga Commission is looking into alleged criminality within the South African justice and policing system.

Crime Intelligence head Lt Gen Dumisani Khumalo told the Commission that a Toyota double-cab bakkie: “that Sibiya was seen driving out of his house” belonged to Stuart James Scharnick: "a convicted carjacker and car thief, with at least 34 cases in the SAPS records.” He added that James: “was found guilty of 18 cases, 11 were withdrawn, and in five cases, he was found not guilty.”

Scharnick has also been alleged to act as a "bodyguard" of Sibiya and has apparently attended parliamentary hearings with the Deputy National Police Commissioner.

In a separate sitting, a protected witness known as Witness C alleged that a businessman with claimed criminal links, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, made regular cash payments to Sibiya after securing a major SAPS tender. The witness stated that Matlala: “indicated that after each and every payment by SAPS for his tender, then a portion of the payment would be given to General Sibiya and he indicated that sometimes he would pay to the total of R1 million per month.”

The same testimony included further detail: “Matlala indicated that when Sibiya’s son was getting married he gave Sibiya R300 000.” The witness added: “Sibiya loves money a lot.”

Another statement recorded that Matlala: “gave Sibiya millions in cash and 20 impalas.”

Sibiya has denied being a: “rogue cop” in earlier appearances before Parliament, but the Madlanga Commission testimony has placed his conduct under renewed scrutiny.