Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya is set to face disciplinary hearings on multiple charges, including allegations of sharing confidential police information and receiving gifts from a businessman, Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala. The charges were revealed in a Labour Court application filed by Sibiya, who is currently being held at the Kgosi Mampuru II C-Max prison on sexual offence charges. Sibiya has denied the allegations and is seeking to temporarily pause the disciplinary proceedings while he deals with the criminal case against him.
The allegations against Sibiya emerged during the Madlanga commission of inquiry, which is investigating claims of criminal infiltration and undue influence within the criminal justice system. According to the charge sheet, Sibiya is accused of serious misconduct, including breaching regulations aimed at preventing and combating criminal activities. One of the charges alleges that Sibiya received R500,000 from Matlala in January 2024 without authorization from the national commissioner.
Sibiya's disciplinary hearing will be chaired by Limpopo police commissioner Lt-Gen Jan Petrus Scheepers. The hearing is one of three disciplinary matters facing Sibiya, who was suspended from his position as deputy national police commissioner in September last year. He was served with the disciplinary hearing notice while in the holding cells at the Randburg magistrate's court, where he was applying for bail related to the criminal charges.
The charge sheet also alleges that Sibiya received another R300,000 gratification from Matlala at his Pretoria residence in September 2024 and 20 impalas from Matlala in March 2024. Additionally, Sibiya is accused of persuading Matlala to pursue a case against members of the political killings task team who had raided Matlala's home. Matlala is also alleged to have given senior police officers a bribe in an attempt to secure a multimillion rand SAPS tender to conduct medical assessments of police officers.
Sibiya's detention has hindered his legal team's ability to consult with him adequately since he was served with the disciplinary notice. In his affidavit before the Labour Court, Sibiya argued that his detention had restricted his ability to prepare for the disciplinary proceedings. He claimed that he needs more time to obtain relevant material and adequately prepare for the disciplinary proceedings.
The disciplinary proceedings are not the only challenge facing Sibiya, who is also facing sexual offence charges relating to allegations that he raped an 18-year-old teenager and sexually groomed a 16-year-old. He has denied the allegations and is being held at the Kgosi Mampuru II C-Max prison. Sibiya raised his disciplinary proceedings during his bail application at the Randburg magistrate's court, telling the court that he was facing two additional disciplinary hearings.
One of the key challenges in the disciplinary proceedings will be ensuring that Sibiya has a fair opportunity to defend himself despite his detention. Sibiya's legal team will need to navigate the complexities of the disciplinary process while also dealing with the restrictions imposed on him as a result of his detention. The outcome of the disciplinary hearings and the criminal case against Sibiya will likely have significant implications for his career and the broader South African police force.
Key points
- Sibiya faces multiple disciplinary hearings on charges including sharing confidential police information and receiving gifts from a businessman.
- The disciplinary proceedings have been complicated by Sibiya's detention on sexual offence charges.
- The outcome of the disciplinary hearings and the criminal case against Sibiya will likely have significant implications for his career and the broader South African police force.
