Suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, 59, was arrested at an upscale Sandton strip club, The Grand, on Monday over allegations of rape, human trafficking, and sexual grooming of minors. Sibiya appeared in the Randburg magistrates' court this week and is set to return on Tuesday for a bail application. The allegations against him include the rape of an 18-year-old woman, trafficking of three people for sexual exploitation, and sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl.
According to a dancer at The Grand, Sibiya was a regular visitor to the club, often arriving at 1am and spending time with three Russian women. He allegedly paid them to leave the club with him, with costs ranging from R15,000. The dancer claimed to have seen Sibiya at the club at least three times a month, and that he also bought alcohol for other women, including black women, with one bill totaling R10,000.
The Grand, an upmarket establishment, charges patrons between R600 and R1,000 for entry, with a complimentary drink included. The club's buffet is an additional R1,500. The charge sheet against Sibiya details the alleged events on May 16, where he met the 18-year-old complainant, MC, and her friends at the Sandton Garden Court hotel. Sibiya allegedly took them to The Grand, bought them food and drinks, and continued to ply them with liquor at the hotel.
The state alleges that MC passed out, and Sibiya raped her. When he left the hotel room, he allegedly boasted that she was "very nice and still a virgin". This is one of five counts against Sibiya, with the others relating to allegations involving a 16-year-old girl, ZM, and the trafficking of three people for sexual exploitation. According to the charge sheet, Sibiya befriended ZM through WhatsApp and engaged in sexually explicit communications with her.
The trafficking allegation relates to the same May outing involving MC and her friends. Sibiya allegedly recruited, transported, and delivered the three women for the purpose of sexual exploitation, using vulnerability, deception, and abuse of power. However, there is a discrepancy in the charge sheet regarding the date attached to the trafficking allegation, with one portion referring to July 16, 2026, and the detailed narrative giving the date as May 16, 2026.
Sibiya is also facing scrutiny over his conduct within the police service. In February, he was questioned over the transfer of 121 political killing investigations from KwaZulu-Natal to the national police head office. Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi strongly criticized the intervention, leading to a public feud between the two senior officers. Mkhwanazi subsequently barred Sibiya from operating in the province.
The Madlanga commission examined allegations surrounding Sibiya's relationships with controversial figures and his alleged financial links to people under investigation. The commission recommended criminal investigations into Sibiya's conduct and disciplinary action against him. Sibiya's case has raised concerns about the integrity of the police service and the need for accountability among senior officers.
Key points
- Sibiya faces allegations of rape, human trafficking, and sexual grooming of minors.
- The Madlanga commission recommended criminal investigations into Sibiya's conduct and disciplinary action against him.
- Sibiya's case has raised concerns about the integrity of the police service and the need for accountability among senior officers.
