Suspended deputy national police commissioner for crime detection Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya appeared in the Randburg Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, facing five charges, including rape, trafficking in persons, and sexual grooming of a child. According to the charge sheet, Sibiya allegedly took two girls, 16 and 18, to a strip club in Sandton, where he bought them food and plied them with alcohol.
The state alleges that Sibiya sexually groomed the 16-year-old girl through electronic communication, sending her nude pictures and persuading her to send videos of herself masturbating. The alleged incidents occurred between May 16 and August 3, involving the adult woman and the 16-year-old girl. Sibiya was arrested on Monday night by members of the Commission's Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).
The charge sheet details that Sibiya first became acquainted with the 16-year-old after her father, who is an associate of the accused, provided Sibiya with her contact details on July 18, 2026. The state alleges that Sibiya subsequently befriended the girl through WhatsApp messages and engaged in sexually explicit electronic communications with her.
On May 16, 2026, Sibiya allegedly trafficked or caused to be trafficked three people, including the second complainant, an 18-year-old woman who was a friend of the 16-year-old. According to the state, Sibiya had planned an outing, helped arrange accommodation and transport for them, and booked them into the Garden Court hotel.
The state alleges that Sibiya took the girls to "The Grand," a strip club in Sandton, where he bought them food and plied them with liquor. He allegedly raped the 18-year-old woman after she passed out and boasted to her friends that she was very nice and still a virgin.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said the state would oppose bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns about the safety of witnesses. Kganyago mentioned that there were threats and intimidation, including a voice note sent around indicating possible threats, possibly from the suspect himself.
The matter was postponed to September 29 for a formal bail hearing, and Sibiya will remain in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria until the bail proceedings. One of Sibiya's close associates, Lazarus Maumela, claimed that his arrest was linked to a succession battle within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Key points
- Sibiya faces five charges, including rape, trafficking in persons, and sexual grooming of a child.
- The state alleges that Sibiya sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl through electronic communication.
- The NPA will oppose bail due to the seriousness of the charges and concerns about witness safety.
