In brief
Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya, South Africa’s deputy police chief, resigned three weeks after police filed charges of sexual grooming, rape and trafficking against him. Sibiya denies the allegations, claiming the alleged rape was consensual, but remains in custody after a denied bail application. His departure comes amid a high‑profile public inquiry into police corruption, where he was also named in allegations of receiving a high‑value gift from a criminal figure. The inquiry, known as the Madlanga Commission, has already exposed wider abuses within the police service. The charges and resignation raise serious concerns over accountability and integrity in South Africa’s law‑enforcement agencies.
Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya, who served as South Africa’s deputy police chief until this week, resigned following the announcement of sexual‑offence charges that have now been formally filed against him.
According to the police service, Sibiya’s lawyer handed over a resignation letter during a disciplinary hearing on Monday. The charges claim he groomed a 16‑year‑old girl and raped an 18‑year‑old woman, and also accuse him of trafficking. Sibiya maintains that he engaged in consensual sex with the 18‑year‑old and denies any grooming or trafficking allegations.
He has remained in custody since his arrest three weeks ago after a denied bail application. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe described his exit as a "dishonourable discharge" on X, signalling the severity of the situation for the police service.
The resignation arrives at a time when South Africa’s police service is under intense scrutiny. The Madlanga Commission, established last September, has uncovered widespread corruption and collusion allegations, including a case in which Sibiya was accused of receiving a 20‑impala gift from a suspected criminal kingpin in exchange for a police contract. Sibiya has rejected that claim as well.
The incident underscores mounting concerns over accountability within the nation’s law‑enforcement agencies and foreshadows further revelations as the inquiry progresses.
