HEADLINE: 'Mr M Has 300 Recordings' - Wife Claims Pressure Tactics in Sibiya Bail Hearing
By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief
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Suspended SAPS Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya's bail application took a dramatic turn in the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, as explosive claims of intimidation, secret recordings and political pressure were placed on record.
Sibiya's wife, Sizakele Dlamini, filed a supporting affidavit alleging that the father of the 16-year-old complainant in the sexual grooming case — referred to only as Mr M — had wanted to withdraw the charges but was being pressured by top police brass to continue.
According to Dlamini, Mr M had sought to approach the family through an intermediary known as the "Apostle." She claimed in her affidavit that Mr M was troubled after seeing Sibiya weeping in court during his first appearance.
"Mr M had seen the applicant weeping in court on the previous day and that this had troubled him," Dlamini stated.
The affidavit further claims the Apostle told the family that Mr M was being told to "give the guy to them" and that he wanted to meet with the minor's grandmother — who opened the case — to have the matter "set aside as a family."
Dlamini said she refused contact, fearing it could be seen as an attempt to influence a witness or a set-up.
She alleged the Apostle warned that Mr M was being pressured by Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo and KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to provide more information about Sibiya.
The court also heard direct WhatsApp messages allegedly sent by Mr M to Dlamini on 2 October.
In those messages, Mr M — who allegedly previously worked as Sibiya's bodyguard — claims he has been documenting Sibiya's activities for his own protection. "Because of what happened I started keeping records of events and interactions which I believe could become relevant. I have photographs, messages, location records, documents and recordings relating to various meetings and conversations that took place while I was present," he wrote.
"I did this because I felt that I needed to protect myself and preserve the truth."
Mr M claimed to have "almost 300 voice records" involving Sibiya, plus photos, vehicle-camera footage and tracking data.
He claimed the material relates to alleged meetings, financial matters and individuals, including alleged criminal figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi.
Crucially, he claimed the evidence is secured elsewhere: "Somebody already has this file for me, this USB. If anything happened for me to die by any format, that USB will be given to the right people."
The defence argued the messages were intimidating to Dlamini. However, Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe noted the message explicitly said: "I'm not saying these things to threaten anyone."
The defence conceded there was no direct threat to Dlamini, but argued Mr M was threatening to release information if Sibiya's team continued to tarnish his name in court.
The State, for its part, welcomed the affidavits being admitted. Prosecutors said the WhatsApp messages could strengthen their case. They also told the court a police officer, Matome Johannes Rasekgokga, who is supporting Sibiya's bail, allegedly leaked sensitive case information to Sibiya.
Sibiya faces serious charges including sexual grooming of a 16-year-old, rape and trafficking related to an alleged incident involving an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May, and a contravention of the Firearms Control Act. He denies the charges, with his defence arguing the hotel encounter was consensual.
The court also heard a recording where Sibiya allegedly told Mr M he could "deal with him very quickly and easily" after the case was opened — which the defence says was taken out of context.
Bail application postponed to 13 October. Sibiya remains in custody.
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