Suspended SAPS deputy Shadrack Sibiya appears in court on sexual offence charges

Suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya appeared at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 September, following his arrest on allegations of sexual grooming and rape.

Who, what and where

The 59-year-old senior police official faces allegations of sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026 and the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May, according to SAPS. He was arrested on Monday by the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).

Bail, detention and next steps

Sibiya’s formal bail application was postponed to 29 September. He is set to be detained at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria until his next court appearance.

Parliament reacts

Ian Cameron, Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, described the allegations as “extremely serious” against someone who served at high levels of the police service.

“Women and children must be able to approach the police when they are at their most vulnerable, confident that they will be protected, taken seriously and treated with dignity,”

Cameron said the criminal justice process must be allowed to run its course and noted that “Lieutenant General Sibiya is entitled to the presumption of innocence, and these allegations must be properly ventilated and tested before a court of law.”

No one above the law

Cameron welcomed that the investigation and arrest proceeded regardless of Sibiya’s rank, saying:

“We have to be categorical that no title, uniform or seniority can place anyone above the law. Everyone in this country is equal before the law, and Lieutenant General Sibiya’s arrest is a testament to that standard.”

He added that where criminality or serious misconduct is ultimately proven, the consequences must be decisive:

“If Lieutenant General Sibiya is ultimately found guilty of these offences, there can be no place for him in the Saps. There should be no quiet redeployment, no transfer to another position and no second chance in uniform.”

Calls for stronger integrity measures

The committee chair reiterated an earlier call for SAPS to strengthen integrity screening, promotion processes and the standards expected of senior leadership, saying South Africans need a police service they can trust.