Shadrack Sibiya, a senior police officer in South Africa, stands accused of exchanging sexually explicit material with the minor daughter of a close friend months before his arrest. The girl's father intercepted the communication between his daughter and Sibiya, leading him to take possession of the child's phone and continue communicating with Sibiya while pretending to be his daughter. This communication has become part of the evidence in a criminal complaint against Sibiya.
The child's father, whose identity is being withheld to protect the minor, is a complainant in a case opened at the Sandton police station earlier this month. Sibiya and the complainant have known each other for several years and have a close relationship, with Sibiya recently purchasing a bakkie from him. However, their relationship deteriorated after a dispute involving a woman whose services the complainant allegedly arranged.
According to sources, the complainant is known to arrange escorts for wealthy clients in Sandton and owns a security company. Sibiya had received the services of one of the women but subsequently refused to pay the agreed amount, leading to a dispute that escalated with the woman threatening to open a criminal case. The cost of the services could reach R10,000 a night, depending on the woman selected and the arrangements made with the client.
A person familiar with the relationship between Sibiya and the complainant said the dispute over the alleged non-payment contributed to the breakdown in their relationship. The allegations involving the minor are separate from the dispute over the alleged non-payment for sexual services, although sources say the matters have become part of the broader investigation into Sibiya.
On September 21, 2026, members of the South African Police Service's Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) arrested Sibiya on charges relating to sexual offences. SAPS Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane confirmed that a 59-year-old senior police officer holding the rank of lieutenant general had been arrested on charges relating to sexual offences.
According to SAPS, Sibiya faces allegations relating to the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026, as well as the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman. The alleged rape occurred at a hotel in Sandton in May 2026. Sibiya was expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, and is currently remanded at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane condemned the alleged conduct, saying police officers have a heightened responsibility to protect women and children from violence, abuse, and exploitation. She added that rank and seniority cannot place anyone above the law and that allegations of criminal conduct against police officers must be investigated "without fear or favour".
Key points
- Shadrack Sibiya, a senior police officer in South Africa, has been arrested on charges relating to sexual offences.
- Sibiya allegedly exchanged explicit messages with a minor before his arrest.
- The allegations against Sibiya include the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl and the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman.
