Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela has issued an apology and withdrawn his remarks made in defense of suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya. Maumela's comments were made outside the Randburg magistrate's court on Tuesday, where Sibiya appeared on serious sexual-offence charges. In a statement released on Wednesday, Maumela said he had reflected on his comments and allegations made during interviews with several media organisations.
Maumela had claimed he was with Sibiya at a restaurant when people approached the senior police officer and informed him that he was facing sexual-offence charges. He alleged that Sibiya initially appeared relaxed and laughed when he was approached. Maumela also suggested that Sibiya was being targeted as part of a "succession battle" within the police service and criticised law enforcement agencies.
Maumela called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene, stating that if the president could not intervene, there would be retaliation. However, he added that if Sibiya had committed a crime, he should be held accountable. Maumela criticised the state of policing in the country and questioned why other senior officials mentioned during the Madlanga commission had allegedly not been subjected to similar searches.
In his apology, Maumela acknowledged that he should have exercised greater caution, particularly given that the criminal case involved a minor. He withdrew his statements and apologised to anyone who may have been affected or offended by his words. Maumela specifically withdrew his comments concerning Ramaphosa, law enforcement agencies, and the Madlanga commission.
Maumela accepted full responsibility for the manner in which he handled the media engagement and apologised for his conduct. He stated that he would no longer comment publicly on the matter and would allow the legal processes to unfold. Sibiya appeared in the Randburg magistrate's court facing five charges, including rape, trafficking in persons, and the sexual grooming of a child.
The charges relate to alleged incidents between May 16 and August 3 involving an 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl. The state alleges Sibiya sexually groomed the girl through electronic communication between July and August. He is also accused of raping the woman at a Sandton hotel in May. The court heard allegations that Sibiya had taken the two to a strip club in Sandton, where he allegedly bought them food and alcohol before allegedly raping the 18-year-old.
Sibiya's matter was postponed to September 29 for a formal bail application, and he will remain in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria until then. Maumela's apology comes after Sibiya's court appearance, and he has thanked everyone who counselled and guided him.
Key points
- Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela apologized for his comments defending Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
- Maumela withdrew his statements and apologized for any harm or offense caused.
- Sibiya faces five charges, including rape and sexual grooming of a child.
