Fresh allegations involving businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, police intermediaries and individuals linked to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry emerged during former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya’s bail hearing after a voice recording was played in court.
The recording captures a discussion between businessman Serge Cabonge and a man identified in court as Mr M, the father of one of the complainants in the criminal case against Sibiya.
The State is relying on the recording as part of its argument that Sibiya could interfere with witnesses if granted bail, while also seeking to establish concerns about the conduct of individuals connected to the case.
During the conversation, Cabonge speaks about his association with Matlala and challenges claims concerning the nature of his dealings with Sibiya. A man referred to as “Fani” is also mentioned in discussions touching on alleged links between police intermediaries and criminal networks.
Cabonge further claims in the recording that he knows an individual who serves on the Madlanga Commission and who allegedly advised him to leave the country. He claims the person had also promised to protect him should his name arise during the commission’s proceedings.
These allegations have not been independently established, and the identity of the person allegedly offering protection remains unclear.
The recording also refers to an alleged motor vehicle collision and a case that Cabonge claims was settled through his connections.
Another portion of the conversation mentions Tebogo Thobejane, Matlala’s former girlfriend, with the speakers speculating about what she might know regarding the alleged murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran. However, the recording does not establish any link between Thobejane and Deokaran’s killing.
The playing of the recording sparked an argument between the State and the defence over whether its contents were relevant to the bail proceedings.
Investigating officer Sergeant Nokukhanya Ndlovu was called to identify the people speaking in the recording and confirmed that the voices belonged to Cabonge and Mr M.
The defence challenged the extent to which Ndlovu could interpret the conversation, arguing that identifying the speakers did not mean she could explain a discussion in which she had not participated.
“You can’t take out one clip,” the defence argued, insisting that the recording should be assessed in the context of the broader sequence of communications.
The defence also alleged that the recording had been sent to Sibiya’s wife, Sizakele Dlamini, as part of an attempt to pressure her over money or the withdrawal of the case.
The latest dispute comes after the court heard evidence about communications between Mr M and Dlamini.
In an affidavit previously presented in court, Dlamini raised concerns about Mr M’s behaviour and his alleged possession of recordings and information relating to Sibiya.
Mr M has reportedly maintained that he kept records of meetings and communications, while the State contends that the recordings support its concerns about possible interference with witnesses.
The defence, however, disputes the State’s interpretation of the material and argues that the communications must be considered in their entirety rather than in isolation.
Sibiya’s bail application was postponed to Wednesday after the recording triggered a dispute during the proceedings.
The defence requested an opportunity to consult with Sibiya and obtain further instructions, maintaining that the witness could identify the speakers but was unable to provide context for a conversation she had not taken part in.
