JOHANNESBURG - The sexual offence charges against suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya strike at the credibility of the South African Police Service, which is already facing intense scrutiny.
This is the view of former Western Cape Police Commissioner and security expert Dr Lennit Max as he turned his attention to the explosive testimonies which have come out of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on alleged corruption and political interference within the political justice system.
“That in itself is very damaging to the police as a whole.”
Sibiya faces five charges, including rape, trafficking in persons, promoting the sexual grooming of a child and two counts of sexual grooming of a child.
One of his alleged victims is an 18-year-old woman who was allegedly raped at a hotel in Sandton in May.
There is also an incident involving the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026.
While noting the seriousness of these allegations, Max said it is equally important to acknowledge the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Sibiya has been taken to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Center in Tshwane, where he will spend seven days behind bars ahead of his formal bail application.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that the move was triggered after the State received intelligence about a possible escape should Sibiya be kept at a Johannesburg facility.
Additionally, Kganyago said investigating officers will probe reports of a voice note received on Tuesday afternoon, in which possible witnesses were allegedly intimidated.
Sibiya will be back before the Randburg Magistrate's Court on 29 September