Shadrack Sibiya denied bail on rape and grooming charges

Former SAPS deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya will remain behind bars after his bail application was denied at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe ruled that Sibiya’s release was not in the interests of justice, finding that he had failed to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances required for a Schedule 6 offence involving a minor. The court accepted the state’s case that there was a risk of witness tampering or intimidation — particularly concerning the 16-year-old complainant — and a risk of evidence being destroyed.

Sibiya’s defence had offered bail of R20,000 along with the surrender of his passport, but the court rejected the application. The 59-year-old, who denies all charges and claims he is being persecuted, has been in custody since his arrest on 21 September and resigned from the SAPS on 12 October. He is being held at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.

The bail ruling does not determine guilt: Sibiya remains presumed innocent until proven guilty, and he has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He returns to court in November for further proceedings; the exact date is unconfirmed, with different outlets reporting different days.

Sources

• IOL: https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-10-20-breaking-shadrack-sibiya-denied-bail-on-grooming-rape-charges/
• Mail & Guardian: https://mg.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-10-20-sibiya-denied-bail-as-magistrate-fears-witness-tampering/
• The South African: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/no-bail-shadrack-sibiya-dealt-crushing-court-blow/
• African Insider: https://www.africaninsider.com/news/shadrack-sibiya-loses-bail-bid-in-rape-grooming-and-trafficking-case/
• Scrolla Africa: https://scrolla.africa/former-top-cop-sibiya-stays-behind-bars-after-bail-bid-fails/
• Briefly: https://briefly.co.za/south-africa/256498-shadrack-sibiya-denied-bail-randburg-magistrates-court/