Madlanga Commission to question socialite Serge Cabonge over police links claims

The Madlanga Commission announced on Tuesday that it will investigate businessman Serge Cabonge in connection with voice recordings that allegedly feature former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya discussing meetings with multiple women through Cabonge. The recordings were presented during Sibiya's bail hearing at Randburg Magistrate's Court on October 13, 2026.

Cabonge has been previously referenced in Commission hearings, and spokesperson Jeremy Michaels emphasized that the Commission is conducting a broad investigation into matters within its terms of reference and will engage with Cabonge to obtain his statement. The Madlanga Commission declined to comment further on the matter.

During the court proceedings, a 25-minute recording surfaced of a conversation between Cabonge and Sibiya's ex-bodyguard and driver, referred to as Mr. M. In the call, Cabonge discussed Tebogo Thobejane, the ex-girlfriend of tenderpreneur Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, and claimed Sibiya had met her multiple times. When Mr. M stated that Sibiya was unaware of Thobejane's existence, Cabonge disagreed, stating that they had met on several occasions, possibly because Sibiya was acquainted with many women through Cabonge.

Cabonge made several other claims during the recording, including allegations of dealings between Sibiya, Matlala, and suspended Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

The state prosecutor, Velile Makasana, sought to introduce the recording during Sibiya's bail proceedings, but Sibiya's legal team, led by Amanda Nel and Estelle Kilian, opposed the audio clip being played in court. Cabonge also made allegations concerning the relationship between Sibiya and Matlala, claiming that the two men engaged in various dealings facilitated through Nkosi.

Cabonge denied being an intermediary, asserting that the two men communicated directly through the suspended sergeant. He added that they had removed him from the situation.

Sibiya is currently facing charges of sexual grooming, human trafficking, rape, and a firearm-related offense following his arrest at a Sandton strip club on September 21, 2026. He is accused of sexually grooming Mr. M's 16-year-old daughter and allegedly exchanged explicit material involving the minor through WhatsApp communications between July 20 and August 3, 2026.

The state also alleges that Sibiya raped an 18-year-old on May 16, 2026. Sibiya, who resigned from the South African Police Service on October 12, has rejected the charges against him. His bail application will continue on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.