Shadrack Sibiya returns to court for bail hearing on rape, grooming charges

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya is due back in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for his formal bail application following his arrest last week.

Sibiya, 59, faces five charges, including rape, trafficking in persons, promoting the sexual grooming of a child and two counts of sexual grooming of a child. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that the charges relate to alleged incidents involving an adult woman and a 16-year-old girl.

The State alleges that Sibiya raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May 2026. He is also accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl between July and August through electronic communication.

Sibiya was arrested on 21 September by members of the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team and appeared briefly in court the following day. His matter was postponed to 29 September to allow for the formal bail proceedings.

State to oppose bail

The NPA has indicated that it will oppose bail, citing concerns including possible interference with witnesses and the possibility of Sibiya absconding.

The State has previously told the court that intelligence indicated there could be a risk of escape if Sibiya were held at a police station. He has instead been held at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre pending the bail hearing.

The charges involving the minor are being treated as Schedule 6 offences, meaning the bail application is subject to a stricter legal threshold. A legal expert previously explained that the court must consider the rights of the accused alongside those of the alleged victims when determining bail.

Link to Madlanga Commission

Sibiya's arrest comes as the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry continues examining allegations of corruption, political interference and the protection of criminal networks within the police and justice system.

Before his suspension and arrest, Sibiya had appeared before the commission and given evidence relating to allegations concerning policing and Crime Intelligence. The commission's official profile records his previous testimony and notes that the criminal allegations are separate proceedings in which he has not been convicted.

The criminal case remains at the allegation stage, and Sibiya is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The outcome of Tuesday's bail proceedings will determine whether he remains in custody or is released subject to conditions.