human trafficking

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 […]

October 2, 2026 20

News

Rape charges a ploy to force me out of SAPS: Sibiya

Suspended Deputy National Commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, says the rape and trafficking charges against him are part of a ploy to force him out of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The 59-year-old, who is facing the charges in court, maintains that he is being targeted and has denied the allegations against him. Sibiya appeared in the Randburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he applied for R20 000 bail. The state […]

September 29, 2026 30

News

SCA clears the way for NPA to appeal Omotoso acquittal

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a significant legal victory after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) granted it leave to appeal the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho. The ruling revives one of South Africa’s most high-profile gender-based violence cases. Omotoso and his co-accused were acquitted in April 2025 after spending nearly eight years in custody awaiting the conclusion of […]

July 15, 2026 61

News

Suspected human trafficker appears in court as Hawks probe organised crime links

A suspected human trafficker appeared in court on Thursday following the rescue of twelve Ethiopian teenage boys found wandering half-naked in Johannesburg South, in what authorities believe may be part of a larger trafficking operation. The 47-year-old Ethiopian national made a brief appearance at the Booysens Magistrate’s Court, where he faces twelve counts of kidnapping and an additional charge of failing to stop for police. The victims are believed to […]

January 8, 2026 72

News

Experts says State’s bid to appeal Omotoso’s acquittal has prospects to succeed

Legal Resources Centre advocate, Sheldon Magardie, says the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) bid to appeal the acquittal of Nigerian pastor Timothy Omotoso could lead to a retrial if the Supreme Court of Appeal finds that the trial judge made legal errors. The NPA returned to the Gqeberha High Court this week, seeking leave to appeal Omotoso’s acquittal. This follows Judge Irma Schoeman’s earlier dismissal of the State’s request for clarification […]

October 29, 2025 69