Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya on Monday claimed a voice recording presented to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, in which alleged cartel boss Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala purportedly confirms gifting him 20 impalas, was generated using artificial intelligence.
The claim came as Sibiya continued to deny allegations of corruption and improper ties to Matlala, who faces attempted murder charges and is accused of leading the so-called Big 5 cartel allegedly involved in tender fraud, drug trafficking and extortion.
The voice recording was produced during earlier testimony by Witness C, an anonymous witness, in which Matlala can be heard telling police officers that he purchased approximately 20 impalas for Sibiya.
Sibiya told the commission that Matlala had disputed the authenticity of the audio.
"I'm very worried about the evidence leader, because she selectively chooses portions that she thinks could only address what she wants to achieve, but also deliberately choosing to ignore the fact that Mr Matlala raised an issue and said, 'I have a problem with this recording, this is not my voice, it was AI generated'. That's the first point," Sibiya said.
The commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within South Africa's criminal justice system.
Distressed impala images contradict denial
Despite Sibiya's categorical denial that any animals were delivered to his property, evidence before the commission shows he forwarded images of two impalas in distress to General Khosi Senthumule.
The images were sent just two days after the alleged delivery from Matlala, raising questions about the origin of the animals.
Sibiya maintained that the delivery never took place.
"I categorically deny that I acquired and received any impala from Matlala or from any other person for that matter. No animal was delivered to my plot pursuant to this discussion," Sibiya said.
He added that the last remaining blesbok on his property had already died and that he was no longer in a financial position to maintain any animals.
WhatsApp trail points to delivery arrangements
The commission has previously heard testimony from Witness F, another anonymous police witness, who described facilitating communication between Sibiya and Matlala.
WhatsApp messages presented as evidence showed that on 21 March 2024, Matlala forwarded a voice note from a contact identified as "Rudi Farm Manager" asking for a pin drop location for where the impalas should be delivered.
Screenshots of a conversation between Matlala and the farm manager showed payment had been received and arrangements made to catch the impalas and transport them to a location identified as Sibiya's home address.
Witness F testified that he forwarded Sibiya's residential pin location for the delivery.
Sibiya challenges witness credibility
Sibiya has rejected the testimonies of multiple witnesses, insisting he met Matlala fewer than five times and never accepted any form of gratification from the businessman.
He told the commission he had only asked Witness F to help source a single female buck as a mate for a lone waterbuck on his Centurion property, which he said had become distressed.
Matlala's company, Medicare24, held a R360 million tender with the South African Police Service at the time of the alleged interactions.
Sibiya's testimony at the Madlanga Commission continues.
