SIBIYA BAIL APPLICATION POSTPONED TO FRIDAY - STATE FLAGS WITNESS INTIMIDATION
By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief
The Azanian | Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.
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Pretoria | 1 October 2026_
SENSITIVE CONTENT WARNING: This story contains details of alleged sexual offences against a child. Reader discretion advised
Suspended deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya will spend another night in custody after his bail application was postponed to Friday.
The bail hearing continued at the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday, where Sibiya appeared facing five charges including rape, sexual grooming of a child, promotion of sexual grooming, and human trafficking. A sixth charge of negligent handling of a firearm was added on Thursday.
Sibiya, who is being held at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, appeared in the dock as his legal team and the State presented further arguments.
The case has drawn national attention due to Sibiya's senior rank in the South African Police Service and the serious nature of the allegations.
The State, led by prosecutor Velile Makasana, told the court that complainants feared Sibiya because of his position and influence within the SAPS. The prosecution argued that if released on bail, there is a real risk of witness interference.
An investigating officer, Warrant Officer Ndlovu, has been presenting an affidavit detailing the State's case. The court heard that communication between Sibiya and a teenage complainant is central to the investigation.
The court was told the alleged communications were explicitly sexual in nature and involved the exchange of explicit material. The complainant, according to the affidavit, became distressed after receiving material she alleges she had never shared. The Defence disputes the State's interpretation.
A key focus was a letter Sibiya's lawyers wrote to the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) before his arrest on 21 September.
His attorney, Advocate Rishaad Moosa, was cross-examined. Moosa told the court they "acted out of caution" after speculation on social media.
"It was an inquiry, firstly, to establish whether there were criminal investigations involving Sibiya and to protect his rights," Moosa said.
Prosecutor Makasana challenged the basis: "Which rights were you referring to that you wanted to enforce at that particular point in time?"
Moosa replied: "Well, it's quite clear — Mr Sibiya is entitled to his freedom. Rights are entrenched, and rights can be taken away."
The State confirmed an additional firearm charge has been added. Two additional SAPS disciplinary notices have also been served on Sibiya while in custody.
The Defence argued that Sibiya did not attempt to flee despite allegedly becoming aware he was under investigation before his arrest. Sibiya intends to plead not guilty.
The bail application is being heard under Schedule 6, which places a higher burden on the accused to show exceptional circumstances.
Proceedings were briefly interrupted due to a technical fault with the recording equipment. The matter was postponed tomorrow, Friday, 3 October 2026.
Sibiya remains in custody until then.
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