- The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry moved to obtain an official statement from Serge Cabonge following allegations heard in a recording
- Cabonge claimed in the recording that he used high-level police connections to have criminal charges dropped against a person linked to the Commission
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on Cabonge's allegations and the Commission's decision to investigate it further
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has announced it will seek a formal statement from Serge Cabonge after a voice recording attributed to Cabonge was played during Shadrack Sibiya's bail hearing.
The recording, which ran for approximately 25 minutes, captured a conversation between Cabonge and an individual identified only as Mr M. Mr M is the father of the 16-year-old who is central to one of the charges against Sibiya.
During the exchange, Cabonge claimed he leveraged high-level connections within the police service to facilitate the dropping of criminal charges related to a road accident involving the daughter of a person linked to the Madlanga Commission.
Cabonge allegedly fled South Africa
The recording also contains claims that Cabonge was warned to leave the country after witnesses at the Madlanga Commission proceedings mentioned his name. He allegedly travelled abroad and remained outside South Africa for several months as a result.
Following the bail hearing, the Commission confirmed it would move to secure Cabonge's official account of the alleged charge interference and his references to individuals connected to the inquiry.
How did South Africans react to the news?
Public reaction to the announcement was pointed.
Letlhogonolo Maselela wrote:
"Madlanga Commission leaving no stone unturned."
Teye Maphanga added:
"I knew this one was coming. He can't run now."
Maryann Walters said:
"I thought something like this would happen. Nothing escapes the Commission."
Several commenters questioned whether Cabonge was even reachable.
Bubu Bubu noted:
"He will email that statement because I hear he left the country."
Nathi Hadebe called on investigators to go further:
"And PKTT must borrow his devices. We want to see something."
Sibiya and others who exited the police force since the Commission began
Briefly News reported that Sibiya resigned through his lawyers shortly after his disciplinary hearing began.
He was the latest officer to have either left the service or been fired since the start of the Madlanga Commission.
Three senior South African Police Service members were dismissed, including two former Major-Generals.
Source: Briefly News
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