South African police Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya appeared at the Randburg magistrate's court on Tuesday to apply for bail on charges of sexual offences. The 59-year-old Sibiya is accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl and raping an 18-year-old, 41 years his junior. In his bail application, Sibiya claimed that he and the 18-year-old had consensual sex, sparking widespread criticism from advocacy groups. The state alleges that Sibiya took the teenager and her friends to a strip club in Sandton and later raped her at a hotel after she became heavily intoxicated.
Advocacy groups have condemned Sibiya's claims, citing the vulnerability of 18-year-old girls. Sarah Lekale, chairperson of the Free State GBV Forum, said that 18-year-old girls are the most vulnerable and make wrong decisions due to their newfound adulthood. Lekale added that the government needs to change the age of consent. Bridget Ramokone, founder of the Lentswe Laka Foundation, also criticized Sibiya's statements, saying they raise serious questions about power, influence, and coercion.
Ramokone emphasized that Sibiya's actions, including taking teens to strip clubs and hotels and providing them with alcohol, cannot be brushed off as consensual. Lesley van Selm, managing director of Khulisa Social Science, described Sibiya's statement as reprehensible, saying it makes a mockery of the justice system. Sibiya's affidavit, read out by his lawyer Adv Estelle Kilian SC, disputed the state's version of events surrounding the alleged rape.
In his affidavit, Sibiya claimed that he and the 18-year-old had consensual intercourse in a hotel room. He also stated that he stayed in contact with the teenager afterwards and that she expressed an interest in meeting him again. However, the state alleges that Sibiya's actions were part of a larger pattern of grooming and exploitation. Sibiya's lawyer argued that exceptional circumstances existed to justify his release on bail.
Sibiya's lawyer argued that his client's continued incarceration would affect not only him but his family and his legal preparation for a disciplinary hearing. Sibiya is also facing a disciplinary hearing on Monday over corruption allegations that emerged from the Madlanga commission of inquiry. At the commission, Sibiya is accused of having improper relationships with alleged underworld figures.
The bail application was postponed to Thursday to allow the state to consider the evidence presented by Sibiya. The state is opposing Sibiya's bail application. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said Sibiya was served with notice of the disciplinary hearing on Tuesday morning. The hearing is set to take place on October 5.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and criticism of the police and the justice system. Advocacy groups are standing in support of the victims, and the case is expected to continue to draw attention to issues of gender-based violence and exploitation of power. Sibiya's case highlights the need for greater accountability and scrutiny of those in positions of power.
Key points
- * South African police Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya faces backlash over claims of consensual sex with 18-year-old girl * Advocacy groups condemn Sibiya's claims, citing vulnerability of 18-year-old girls * Sibiya's bail application postponed to Thursday amid opposition from the state
