- A voice recording attributed to Serge Cabonge was played during Shadrack Sibiya's bail hearing on 13 October 2026, making explosive claims about senior connections
- The Madlanga Commission issued a strong denial, with spokesperson Jeremy Michaels stating no commissioner had any knowledge of or contact with Cabonge
- The Commission had initially planned to engage Cabonge but released a further statement after public commentary raised concerns about possible interference
Source: Getty Images
GAUTENG — The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has publicly dismissed allegations attributed to Serge Cabonge, calling them "false, incoherent and unsupported by facts," following the emergence of a voice recording at Shadrack Sibiya's bail proceedings on 13 October 2026.
Journalist Yusuf Abramjee posted a statement on his X account from the Commission on 15 October 2026. Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels stated that none of the commissioners, nor any evidence leaders, had ever met, spoken to, or had any prior knowledge of Cabonge. He further confirmed that no individual acting on behalf of the Commission had communicated with Cabonge, either directly or through an intermediary, regarding his potential appearance before the inquiry.
What was heard in the recording?
The recording, approximately 25 minutes in length, captured a conversation between Cabonge and a person identified only as Mr M, who is the father of a 16-year-old at the centre of one of the charges against Sibiya, the former deputy national commissioner of the South African Police Service.
During the exchange, Cabonge claimed to have used high-level connections within the police service to have criminal charges dropped in connection with a road accident involving the daughter of a person linked to the Commission. The recording also contained claims that Cabonge was warned to leave South Africa after his name came up during Commission proceedings, and that he subsequently remained outside the country for several months.
Commission seeks Cabonge's official account
The Commission initially indicated it would engage Cabonge and investigate the matter within the scope of its terms of reference. However, it later issued an additional statement after growing public commentary began to suggest that senior Commission representatives may have interfered in a criminal investigation.
Madlanga Commission Rejects Serge Cabonge Allegations as False and Unsupported Commission called on the public to approach the allegations with caution. It also confirmed it would move to obtain a formal statement from Cabonge directly addressing the claims about charge interference and his references to individuals connected to the inquiry.
Read the statement on X here:
Sibiya, whose bail hearing prompted the airing of the recording, previously featured in the Madlanga Commission's proceedings, with the Commission recommending criminal action against him and three others.
Shadrack Sibiya allegedly asked Serge Cabonge money
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Shadrack Sibiya’s bail hearing, where a recording captured Serge Cabonge telling a man identified as Mr M that Sibiya allegedly called him from custody to request R200,000.
The recording also featured Cabonge’s denial that he acted as a middleman between Sibiya and businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. He further claimed to know a former judge president linked to the Madlanga Commission and said he had helped the person resolve a criminal matter.
Source: Briefly News