Sibiya’s bail bid delayed as defence disputes State case

Suspended Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General, Shadrack Sibiya, will remain behind bars until next Wednesday, after his bail hearing was postponed.

It’s been a week of explosive claims, with Sibiya’s defence repeatedly pushing back against the State’s version of events.

The 59-year-old faces six charges, including rape, human trafficking, two counts of sexual grooming of a minor, promotion of child sexual grooming and negligent handling of a firearm.

The court has heard that Sibiya intends to plead not guilty to all the charges.

But first, the circumstances of his arrest. The State alleges Sibiya was arrested at a strip club.

His lawyer, Advocate Amanda Nel, strongly disputes this, insisting he was arrested while dining at a nearby restaurant.

The defence has also challenged claims that a 16-year-old girl was coerced into sending naked images of herself.

The State has placed WhatsApp exchanges from July and August before the court, arguing that they support the sexual grooming allegations involving the teenager, who is reportedly the daughter of Sibiya’s bodyguard.

However, Nel has continued to reject the State’s version.

Sibiya has also denied raping an 18-year-old woman, telling the court that they had consensual sexual intercourse.

The State alleges that Sibiya took the woman and her friends to a strip club, bought them alcohol and later raped her while she was unconscious.

Sibiya also claims the rape and trafficking charges are part of a ploy to force him out of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

On the strength of the prosecution’s case, the defence has made its position crystal clear, it says the case against Sibiya is “weak” and, according to Nel, devoid of truth.

“In summary, we are going [to] argue that the State’s case on counts one, two, and three is not strong, but in fact weak and devoid of truth,” Advocate Nel said.

Sibiya has also rejected suggestions that he was linked to attempts to influence witnesses, saying he has never instructed anyone to contact or intimidate them.

His lawyer says he has undertaken not to contact or communicate with any State witnesses should he be granted bail.

Meanwhile, SAPS has served Sibiya with a notice to attend a disciplinary hearing on 5 October over allegations arising from the Madlanga Commission.

National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, says the hearing will either take place at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility if Sibiya remains in custody, or at another venue should he be released on bail.

She says the disciplinary process will be expedited under Regulation 9, given the seriousness of the allegations.

For now, Sibiya remains in custody, with the bail proceedings due to resume on 7 October.

Social media reaction has also been strong, with the case drawing widespread public attention and anger.

“This girl was still a virgin”

Sibiya

💔💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/Ya68JKeyLb

— Kim Heller (@kimheller3) October 1, 2026

Sibiya’s lawyer says the victim can’t remember if he used protection, because she had passed out #Sibiya#MadlangaCommission pic.twitter.com/910p7IQtGI

— Nwabisa Mzamo (@svz22vm8f5) October 2, 2026

This man is sick, doesn’t deserve to be called a Father/uncle or anything #Sibiya#MadlangaCommission pic.twitter.com/txJcjlkTdB

— Nhlamu M (@NhlamuloNeay) October 1, 2026

The girl was a virgin

The girl was under age for consuming alcohol

She was under age for being sexually active

The girl was 3x younger than the man

The man is the 2nd most highest officer in SA

The man forced himself into the drunk young girl

Sibiya deserve to be hanged pic.twitter.com/Zvp60KfSdZ

— Sive ✨ (@SiveXaluva) October 2, 2026