In brief
South Africa’s first deputy police chief resigned amid a fresh assault of misconduct allegations. Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya, charged with grooming a 16‑year‑old, raping an 18‑year‑old, and human trafficking, denied the accusations and claimed any contact was consensual. He was already suspended last year following accusations of collusion with crime bosses uncovered by the Madlanga Commission. Police officials labelled his exit a dishonourable discharge while a disciplinary case remains active, highlighting the deep‑rooted corruption within the country’s police force.
Deputy Police Chief Shadrack Sibiya resigns after sexual‑offence charges
Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya, the South African Police Service’s deputy chief, handed in his resignation at a disciplinary hearing on Monday after he was formally charged with sexual offences and alleged ties to organised crime.
The 59‑year‑old was arrested three weeks ago and faces counts of grooming a 16‑year‑old girl, raping an 18‑year‑old woman and human trafficking. Sibiya denied all allegations, saying he had sexual relations with the adult victim that were consensual and claiming the charges were spurious.
He had already been suspended last year after a public inquiry – the Madlanga Commission – uncovered evidence that senior officers, including Sibiya, colluded with crime bosses, interfered with investigations into political killings and accepted gifts, including cash and 20 impalas, in return for policing contracts.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe called his departure a "dishonourable discharge" because the disciplinary case was still pending. The resignation underscores the deep‑rooted corruption that the commission has revealed across the country’s police force.
