Court told complainants in Shadrack Sibiya case are sending suicide texts and fear for their lives

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court heard on Thursday that two complainants in the rape and sexual grooming case against suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya have been sending messages saying they fear for their lives or may commit suicide.

Investigating officer raises safety concerns

Detective Nokukhanya Ndlovu of the Commission Recommendations Task Team told the court during cross-examination that the complainants “constantly keep on sending texts of either one (planning to) committing suicide or fearing for their lives.”

“So, even today and yesterday, it’s a constant thing. And this is really worrying. And I thought I should just alert the court about that.”

Charges against Sibiya and state stance on bail

Sibiya is facing five charges, including rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking. A further charge relating to the unlawful possession of a firearm was added.

Ndlovu told the court that Sibiya should not be granted bail because doing so would not serve the interests of the public and justice, and said the state had a “strong case against the senior officer.”

She also linked the matter to a wider national concern about violence against women, citing remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa about abuse, rape and killing of women being a “stain on our national conscience.”

Witness protection and safety arrangements

The court was told that the Witness Protection Program has been engaged. Ndlovu said families had arranged interim safety measures while the girls complete their final school papers, and that the Witness Protection Program would be ready to act “should be in the month of October.”

Next steps in the bail hearing

The matter was postponed to Friday for the continuation of the bail hearing.