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World

Shadrack Sibiya, suspended SAPS deputy national commissioner, charged with rape and child grooming

South Africa's suspended deputy national police commissioner, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, 59, appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday on five charges including rape and the sexual grooming of a child; the case was postponed to 29 September for a bail hearing.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 1 min read

South Africa’s suspended deputy national commissioner of police, Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, 59, appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday facing charges including rape, trafficking in persons, promoting the sexual grooming of a child, and two counts of sexual grooming of a child.

Sibiya was arrested on Monday by the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT); the Mail & Guardian reports he was detained at a strip club in Sandton. The alleged offences span 16 May to 3 August 2026: the rape of an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton in May, and the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl through electronic communication on WhatsApp between July and August.

NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the case was postponed to 29 September for a formal bail application. The state will oppose bail, given the Schedule 6 offence involving a minor and concerns over witness intimidation. Sibiya will remain in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria until then.

He has not pleaded. The allegations remain untested, and he retains the presumption of innocence.

Sources

  • The Guardian: South Africa top police officer Shadrack Sibiya charged with rape and grooming
  • Mail & Guardian: Top cop Sibiya detained on charges of sexual grooming and rape
  • IOL: Sibiya faces five charges including rape, child grooming and trafficking
  • The Citizen: Parliament — Sibiya court sexual offence charges

More on this topic: all World stories

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