LAVISH LIFESTYLE COSTING THE BADGE: GUCCI & LOUIS VUITTON SPENDING EXPOSED AS SAPS FIRES MAJ-GEN SHIBIRI

LAVISH LIFESTYLE COST HIM THE BADGE.* Maj-Gen Richard Shibiri was dismissed by SAPS on 4 June 2026 after internal proceedings found him guilty of misconduct, including associating with a person linked to organised crime. Days earlier the Madlanga Commission grilled him for hours, testing his testimony against bank records that, the panel heard, reflected transactions for luxury goods including Gucci and Louis Vuitton while payments from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala landed. Testimony and phone records presented at the commission also allegedly showed he tipped off Matlala before a 2024 raid, and interfered in the Armand Swart murder probe + R300m Aeroton drug bust. Grilled. Records tabled. Dismissed. Rank means nothing without integrity.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.  

AZANIAFROCOMEDIA – The Catalyst of Impact

PRETORIA— Major General Richard Shibiri is out. SAPS dismissed the former head of the Organised Crime Unit on Wednesday after internal disciplinary proceedings found him guilty of misconduct that brought the organisation into disrepute, including associating with a person linked to organised crime.

The firing came days after the Madlanga Commission grilled him for days. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and his panel tested his testimony against bank records until it collapsed.

According to evidence tabled at the commission, Shibiri received between R70,000 and R80,000 from businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who has been repeatedly linked to organised crime. Under cross-examination his explanation shifted — first a loan to fix his son’s car, then money for home construction.

Commission records showed he had sufficient funds at the time. The same records, the panel heard, reflected transactions for luxury goods including Gucci and Louis Vuitton while those payments landed. Commissioners pressed every inconsistency until his version gave way.

Testimony and phone records presented to the commission allegedly showed Shibiri tipped off Matlala ahead of a December 2024 raid at his home. He is accused of sharing information that could frustrate investigations.

Evidence led at the commission also linked him to interference in the murder investigation of engineer Armand Swart and a R300m drug bust in Aeroton. Officers testified he pressured them to withdraw opposition to bail applications.

The Madlanga Commission was built to match words to records. A lavish lifestyle while wearing the uniform cost him the badge. Grilled. Records tabled. Dismissed. Rank means nothing without integrity.