Masemola leaves Sibiya suspension battle to the courts

National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, says he will allow the courts to deal with his deputy, Shadrack Sibiya’s suspension.

Sibiya was placed on special leave in July after being implicated in alleged corruption by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi placed Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu and Sibiya, at the centre of what has been described as a crisis at the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The embattled Deputy National Commissioner is now fighting back and is demanding that he be reinstated by Friday. 

In a letter from his lawyers, Sibiya claims his suspension was unlawful and that he was not given an opportunity to defend himself.

Sibiya says Masemola failed to follow the prescribed procedure.

“He has effectively suspended me based on untested allegations which he heard in a media briefing and without providing me the mandatory opportunity to make representations,” Sibiya said.

Sibiya maintains that he is innocent and is ready to prove it with backed-up evidence.

With tensions rising within the police’s top ranks, Masemola, has refused to comment further, saying the matter will be ventilated in court.

Sibiya’s latest push to have his position back comes a few days before the start of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which will probe Mkhwanazi’s allegations of rot within the police force.

The Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System will begin its hearings on the 1st of September.

The inquiry, led by retired Constitutional Court Judge, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will investigate allegations of corruption, political interference and criminality within the criminal justice system.

Retired Constitutional Court judge, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has assured the public that his team will investigate the matter thoroughly.