South Africa’s National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said on 15 July he has directed his deputy and head of crime detection, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, to take a leave of absence while the South African Police Service conducts an internal investigation. Masemola described the move as a precautionary measure after receiving “serious allegations” against the senior officer. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accuses Sibiya of corruption, obstructing politically sensitive murder investigations and shielding suspects linked to organised crime. Among the claims are that Sibiya worked with controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and removed more than 120 high-profile case dockets from provincial investigators, effectively stalling probes into political assassinations. The development comes two days after President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appointed a judicial commission of inquiry, headed by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to examine accusations that criminal syndicates have infiltrated law-enforcement and intelligence agencies. Both Mchunu and Sibiya are implicated in Mkhwanazi’s sworn statements. Sibiya has denied any wrongdoing. Masemola did not specify the duration of the leave or the timeline for the internal probe but said the findings will determine whether further disciplinary or criminal action is pursued.