By Palesa Matlala
- Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya faces five charges, three counts of child grooming, one of trafficking and one of rape.
- The state is opposing bail, citing a threatening voice note sent hours before Tuesday’s hearing and alleged ongoing witness intimidation.
Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya waved to his loved ones before being led back to the cells on Tuesday.
The senior cop, one of the highest ranking officers in the South African Police Service, is now being held at Kgosi Mampuru prison.
Sibiya, 59, appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 22 September facing five charges.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, counts one to three relate to the sexual grooming of a child, count four is trafficking in persons, and count five is rape.
The case involves an 18 year old woman and a 16 year old girl, and the incidents are said to have taken place between 16 May and 3 August 2026. The state says Sibiya groomed the 16 year old through electronic communication, and separately raped the 18 year old. The trafficking charge involves three people.
The state asked for the case to be postponed for seven days to allow for a formal bail application. Sibiya will return to court on 29 September, when the state has confirmed it will formally oppose bail.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the state’s objection is based on alleged ongoing interference with witnesses, including a voice note sent at around 2pm on Tuesday, hours before the hearing, containing what the spokesperson described as possible threats.
“It could even be from the suspect itself,” Kganyago said, though this has not been confirmed.
The spokesperson said investigating officers have taken responsibility for protecting witnesses, and alleged that intimidation may involve more than one person.
“He was basically indicating that it is not only the accused person, but there is a cabal of people that are working with him that they believe will intimidate the witnesses,” Kganyago said, without naming anyone or confirming numbers.
The NPA declined to say how many witnesses are involved, citing the sensitivity of a minor being among them, and would not confirm whether further arrests are expected, saying only that this may depend on the outcome of examining devices allegedly used in the intimidation.
The National Prosecuting Authority said it would prosecute “without fear, favour or prejudice” regardless of an accused person’s position or status.
Pictured above: Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya taken to Kgosi Mampuru Prison after his appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
Image source: Supplied
