Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya appeared before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
He’s facing five charges, including rape, trafficking in persons and sexual grooming of a child. The allegations involve a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman.
Sibiya, one of the central figures in the Madlanga Commission, was arrested on Monday night and will remain in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre until his bail application on Septembe 29.
What charges does Shadrack Sibiya face?
The state says Sibiya faces five charges: three relating to the sexual grooming of a child, one count of trafficking in persons, and one count of rape.
The grooming allegations concern a 16-year-old girl, while the rape and trafficking charges arise from an alleged incident involving an 18-year-old woman in May.
July-August: alleged sexual grooming
According to the charge sheet, Sibiya became acquainted with the 16-year-old after her father, described as an associate of the accused, provided her contact details to him on or about July 18, 2026 to arrange transport.
The state alleges that Sibiya subsequently communicated with the girl on WhatsApp, exchanged sexually explicit messages, obtained nude photographs of her and persuaded her to send videos of herself masturbating.
The prosecution further alleges that Sibiya used electronic communication and sexually explicit material to encourage or persuade the child to participate in sexual activity.
May 16: alleged rape in Sandton
The rape allegation dates back to 16 May 2026.
The state alleges Sibiya arranged an outing involving the 16-year-old and her 18-year-old friend, with transport and accommodation arranged at a Garden Court hotel in Sandton.
According to the charge sheet, he then took the two women to The Grand, a strip club in Sandton, where he allegedly bought them food and supplied them with alcohol.
The state alleges he continued supplying alcohol after they returned to the hotel.
Prosecutors allege the 18-year-old passed out after becoming intoxicated, after which Sibiya allegedly raped her.
Why does Sibiya face a trafficking charge?
The trafficking in persons charge also relates to the May incident.
The state alleges that Sibiya recruited, transported or facilitated the movement of three people, including the 18-year-old complainant, for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
The charge sheet alleges that this involved an abuse of vulnerability, deception or abuse of power.
The allegations have not been tested at trial, and Sibiya has not publicly commented on the charges.
Why was Sibiya moved to Kgosi Mampuru?
The state told the court that intelligence indicated a possible escape risk if Sibiya were held at a police station. Prosecutors have also raised concerns about alleged witness intimidation.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the state would oppose bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns about witness safety.
Sibiya will remain at Kgosi Mampuru II until his bail application.
Court drama as media fight for access
The high-profile appearance drew significant media interest, with Now in SA among the journalists at the Randburg court.
Media access became a point of contention outside the courtroom, with journalists receiving conflicting indications about whether they would be permitted inside.
We ultimately managed to capture a brief glimpse of Sibiya during the proceedings.
Our six-second clip shows the suspended general waving towards his loved ones before being taken back into custody.
Outside court, Sibiya associate Lazarus Maumela claimed the arrest was linked to a succession battle within SAPS. He provided no evidence to support the claim.
Sibiya case unfolds amid GBV crisis
The case comes against the backdrop of South Africa’s continuing gender-based violence and femicide crisis, including a series of killings of women in and around Ekurhuleni.
UN Women estimates that South Africa’s femicide rate is five times the global average.
Meanwhile, Sibiya remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre and will return to the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on September 29 for his formal bail application.
The state has indicated it will oppose bail.
