The Randburg Magistrate's Court has heard that Mr M, the father of a 16-year-old girl allegedly sexually groomed by deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, has almost 300 recordings of Sibiya's meetings. These recordings, along with photographs, vehicle-camera footage, and vehicle-tracking information, were kept by Mr M as evidence of Sibiya's alleged criminal activities. According to WhatsApp texts, Mr M claimed to have been documenting his interactions with Sibiya, including meetings, conversations, locations, and people allegedly collecting money.
Sibiya's wife, Sizakele Dlamini, filed an affidavit in court, stating that Mr M threatened her, saying he would release documents about Sibiya to the police. Mr M, who allegedly worked as Sibiya's bodyguard, claimed he had been keeping records because he feared the information could become important. He stated that he started documenting events and interactions after what happened, believing it could become relevant, and that he did this to protect himself and preserve the truth.
In WhatsApp messages to Sibiya's wife, Mr M explained that he had taken steps to ensure the information was preserved in case anything happened to him. He claimed that someone he trusted had possession of a USB containing the recordings, and that if anything happened to him, the USB would be given to the right people. Mr M expressed trust in the person with the USB, stating that all the conversation and criminal activity had been obtained.
Mr M also referred to alleged links between Sibiya and criminal figures, including Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, Brown Mogotsi, and certain police officers. He stated that he would provide information to the authorities if his name continued to be tarnished during Sibiya's bail application and trial. The state has charged Sibiya with sexual grooming, rape, and human trafficking, among others, and alleges that he used WhatsApp to groom Mr M's teenage daughter.
The state alleges that between July and August 2026, Sibiya solicited explicit videos and instructed the teenager to keep their interactions secret. Sibiya also faces allegations relating to an 18-year-old woman who was allegedly trafficked and raped at a Sandton hotel in May. The prosecution alleges that alcohol was involved, and the woman was raped while unconscious, while Sibiya's defence maintains that the encounter was consensual.
In one recording, Sibiya is allegedly heard confronting and threatening Mr M after the criminal case was opened, telling him he could "deal with [him] very quickly and easily". Sibiya's lawyers argue that the recording was taken out of context and arose from a personal dispute concerning Mr M's own conduct. The court also heard a recorded phone call allegedly made to Mr M by Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela, an associate of Sibiya.
The defence stated that Sibiya's wife felt threatened and was pressured to tell her husband to stop tarnishing Mr M's name in court. The state prosecutor expressed gratitude that WhatsApp texts from Mr M had been brought before the court, saying they could strengthen the state's case. Sibiya's bail application has been postponed until Tuesday, 13 October, when the state is expected to provide the court with affidavits from Mr M and the 18-year-old complainant.
Key points
- Deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya faces charges of sexual grooming, rape, and human trafficking.
- Mr M claims to have almost 300 recordings of Sibiya's meetings as evidence of his alleged criminal activities.
- Sibiya's bail application has been postponed until 13 October.
