Former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya will remain behind bars after the Randburg Magistrate’s Court dismissed his bail application. The 59-year-old faces serious charges, including rape, kidnapping, sexual grooming and human trafficking.

Thembelihle Mabanga

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Former South African Police Service (SAPS) deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has been denied bail by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

On Tuesday, Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe ruled that Sibiya had failed to demonstrate exceptional circumstances that would justify his release while facing serious criminal charges.

Sibiya was arrested on 21 September 2026 at The Grand Club, a strip club in Sandton.

The 59-year-old faces allegations including the rape of an 18-year-old woman, the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl, kidnapping, human trafficking and a firearm-related offence.

He denies the grooming and kidnapping allegations but has admitted to having what he described as consensual sex with the 18-year-old.

During the bail proceedings, the State argued that Sibiya’s former senior position in the police service gave him considerable power and influence, which could potentially be used to interfere with the case.

Prosecutors also raised concerns that he could intimidate victims and witnesses, alleging that some of his associates had already attempted to do so.

However, Mkhasibe distinguished between the alleged actions of Sibiya’s associates and those of the accused, finding that the friends had acted independently rather than on his instructions.

The magistrate nevertheless found that Sibiya had threatened the father of the 16-year-old girl he is accused of grooming, rejecting the defence’s argument that no threats had been made.

“The second threat establishes a dangerous pattern of behaviour,” Mkhasibe said, explaining that the alleged conduct suggested a deliberate intention to cause harm rather than a momentary lapse in judgment.

In delivering her ruling, the magistrate said Sibiya had not met the legal requirements for release on bail.

“The finding of the court is that the applicant failed to show exceptional circumstances that permit his release on bail. As a result, he’ll remain in custody,” she said.

Sibiya is expected to return to court on 24 November.