The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police and ActionSA on Friday commended the South African Police Service (SAPS) for dismissing national head of the Organised Crime Unit Major-General Richard Shibiri, calling it a “necessary step” to restore accountability in the organisation.

SAPS confirmed Shibiri’s removal following an internal disciplinary process that found him guilty of misconduct for bringing the police service into disrepute by associating with a known criminal.

SAPS pointed out that in January, it was announced that 14 high-ranking members and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality officials were referred for investigation after being identified as possible wrongdoers by the Madlanga Commission.

Shibiri was among the five SAPS officials referred for investigation.

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron welcomed Shibiri’s dismissal, describing the outcome as “exactly the type of consequence management the SAPS desperately needs”.

Cameron highlighted that having a high-ranking officer entrusted with combating organised crime being associated with criminal elements was not only shameful but potentially treasonous.

While pleased with the dismissal, noting that SAPS historically had had a “lethargic approach” to enforcing internal discipline, Cameron insisted that this could not be the end of the matter.

He called on the SAPS to continue with criminal investigations into Shibiri's conduct and ensure effective prosecution if implicating evidence was found.

The chairperson said investigators were tasked with determining if any subordinates were complicit in Shibiri’s actions or if other senior officers were aware of the misconduct but failed to act.

ActionSA MP Dereleen James echoed these sentiments, noting that while the dismissal represented significant progress in restoring accountability, Shibiri must now face the full consequences of the law.

She explained that revelations from the Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission had exposed the extent to which organised criminal interests had penetrated State institutions.

The dismissal of Shibiri comes amid broader calls from oversight committees to enforce stricter integrity management, including lifestyle audits for senior management across the SAPS.