The bail hearing of embattled police officer Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya is set to continue on Wednesday. The state is relying on recordings allegedly capturing Sibiya threatening the father of a 16-year-old girl, saying he "can deal with him very quickly and easily." Sibiya faces charges including rape, sexual grooming, and human trafficking. A further charge of negligent possession of a firearm has also been added.
In the first recording played in court, Sibiya allegedly told the girl's father that he could "deal with you very quickly and easily". Sibiya is heard expressing disappointment with the man and reminding him of financial support he had provided, including amounts ranging from R4,000 to R10,000 on different occasions, as well as his bank card to buy groceries. Sibiya accused the man of speaking badly about him and telling others to have him arrested.
The state also played a second recording in which a caller appears to say they had been approached by a South African Police Service (SAPS) officer who allegedly wanted them to work with the girl's father to influence the outcome of Sibiya's case in exchange for a bribe. The recording was unclear, leading Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe to order that proper translations be prepared. The translations are expected to be provided on Wednesday.
Sibiya's legal team said it would deal with the recordings later, describing them as new evidence. During cross-examination, Sibiya's lawyer, Amanda Nel, put it to Detective Nokukhanya Ndlovu that the father of the 16-year-old girl was allegedly in a relationship with another teenage girl involved in the case. Ndlovu said she had no knowledge of the alleged relationship.
Nel also challenged Ndlovu's description of The Grand, where Sibiya was arrested. The defence argued that the venue was not strictly a strip club and that Sibiya was arrested in the restaurant area while in the company of three adult men. Ndlovu disagreed, saying the venue has a strip club at the entrance, with a hotel and restaurant behind and alongside it.
Ndlovu gave evidence about events on May involving the girls, who had planned an outing. She said Sibiya became involved in arranging transport for the group and suggested they go to The Grand, a venue owned by a friend of his. The defence disputes aspects of this account and maintains that Sibiya's associate was also involved.
Sibiya, 59, was arrested following an investigation by the Commission Recommendations Task Team, which is examining matters arising from the Madlanga Commission. He has denied the allegations. The state alleges that Sibiya raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel on May 15 after she was allegedly given alcohol and lost consciousness.
Key points
- The bail hearing of Shadrack Sibiya will continue on Wednesday.
- The state is relying on recordings allegedly capturing Sibiya threatening the father of a 16-year-old girl.
- Sibiya faces charges including rape, sexual grooming, and human trafficking.
