Raiding Day: SIU, Hawks Pounce on Sibiya, Maumela, And Nkabinde

The Hawks conducted two separate raids at the respective homes of deputy police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, as well as at suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde, this afternoon.

At the same time, the Special Investigate Unit (SIU) was also conducting a similar raid at the home of tycoon and President Cyril’s Ramaphosa’s nephew, Hungwani Maumela, who is embroiled in the Tembisa Hospital looting scandal.

At the homes of Sibiya and Nkabinde, the Hawks seized laptops, mobile phones and other electronic devices which will serve as evidence in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The inquiry was established in response to explosive corruption allegations made against the latter duo by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Both officials expressed concerns for their safety and feelings of betrayal by their colleagues.

“They are trying to push me out,” Sibiya told journalists outside his home during the raid.

Despite the raid, Nkabinde remained defiant, insisting that he will not voluntarily vacate his post.

“I will never resign...they must fire me,” he added.

Nkabinde, on the other hand, told the media that he fears for his life and suggested that incumbent police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, would be implicated should anything happen to this effect.

“If anything happens to me, you must know that it is General Fannie Masemola who will be responsible.”

Both officials are expected to appear before the Madlanga Commission next week and say that they are ready to clear their names.

Meanwhile, Maumela’s ultra-luxurious Sandhurst home was raided as part of an R820-million recovery operation following the SIU’s explosive report that fingered him as the head of one of the syndicates the unduly benefited from illicit tender deals at Tembisa Hospital.

Out of the reported R2-bllion that was reportedly looted through the hospital’s procurement channels, Maumela was found to have been one of the beneficiaries of multi-million-rand tenders issued while failing to deliver the tendered items.

Three luxury cars and art pieces belonging to Maumela were seized during the raid.

SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said that this operation is part of implementing the SIU's investigation outcomes and consequence management.

 “We will communicate further once the legal processes have been finalised,” he stated.