Sibiya calls charges ‘trumped up’ as disciplinary hearing set for October 5

Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has told the Randburg Magistrate’s Court the criminal charges he faces are part of an effort to remove him from the South African Police Service, calling them “trumped up” as a disciplinary hearing against him was scheduled.

Who, what and where

Sibiya, the suspended deputy national police commissioner, faces five charges, including rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking. He was arrested last week after an investigation by the Commission Recommendations Task Team (CRTT), which is examining matters arising from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Sibiya denies the allegations

In an affidavit read in court by his lawyer, Estelle Kilian SC, Sibiya denied the allegations. The State alleges that he raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel on May 16 after she was given alcohol and became unconscious, that he groomed a 16-year-old girl through WhatsApp between July and August and possessed and distributed sexual images of her, and that he trafficked three people for sexual exploitation.

Challenge to the investigators

Sibiya questioned the CRTT’s involvement, saying the unit was created by the SAPS under a presidential directive to deal with matters arising from the Madlanga Commission and that its mandate did not extend to the allegations against him. He asked why the CRTT and its members had involved themselves in a matter he said did not emerge from the Commission’s scope or mandate.

“I furthermore submit that the answer lies within the pertinent fact that all allegations are aimed at removing me from the SAPS sphere and due to the fact that no charges emanating from the Commission could affect the same, the current case was trumped up against me,”

Those words were included in the affidavit read to the court.

Bail application and custody

The bail application was postponed after Prosecutor Velile Makhasana asked for time to prepare and to cross-examine Advocate Rashad Moosa, who is part of Sibiya’s defence team. The application was postponed to Thursday. Sibiya remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Services.

Internal disciplinary hearing

Shortly after his court appearance, the South African Police Service confirmed a disciplinary hearing had been scheduled. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Sibiya was served with disciplinary papers while in the holding cells and that the hearing is set for October 5 on allegations arising from the Madlanga Commission inquiry.

Mathe said arrangements would be made for the hearing to proceed if Sibiya remained in custody and that if he was released on bail details of the venue would be communicated to him. She said the internal departmental investigation had been finalised and the disciplinary hearing would be conducted on an expedited basis under Regulation 9.

Mathe: “When they bring a matter before court, they’ve got overwhelming evidence against you.”

Employment status and concerns about participation

Sibiya said he remains employed as a lieutenant-general in the SAPS but is suspended pending the disciplinary proceedings. He was placed on special leave in July 2025, which was subsequently treated as a suspension amid investigations into alleged misconduct.

In court he warned that continued incarceration could prevent him from attending and participating in his disciplinary hearing, saying his absence would “deprive me of my right to an audi alteram partem hearing and may result in an unfavourable finding against me.”