In brief
South Africa’s deputy police chief, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, has resigned after police disciplinary hearings revealed charges of sexual offences. He denies the accusations, claiming a consensual encounter with a female victim. Sibiya also faces allegations of ties to organised‑crime bosses and a human‑trafficking charge, stemming from the Madlanga Commission’s investigation into police corruption. The resignation, accepted at a disciplinary hearing, is seen by police as a dishonourable discharge.
South Africa’s deputy police chief, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, has resigned after police disciplinary hearings revealed charges of sexual offences.
A lawyer representing Mr Sibiya submitted his resignation letter at the hearing on Monday, the police spokesperson said.
Sibiya, 59, also faces accusations of ties to organised‑crime bosses, a charge that led to his suspension last year. He denies all allegations, including that he sexually groomed a 16‑year‑old girl and raped an 18‑year‑old woman. He has said the alleged act with the 18‑year‑old was consensual.
The former officer has been in custody since his arrest three weeks ago. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said his departure was regarded as a dishonourable discharge while he was still facing a disciplinary case.
The accusations first surfaced during the Madlanga Commission, a national inquiry into police corruption and collusion with criminals set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The commission has unearthed widespread links between police officers and crime bosses.
Mr Sibiya was accused of interfering with investigations into political killings in KwaZulu‑Natal and of accepting a cash gift and 20 impalas from an alleged criminal kingpin in exchange for a police contract. He denied receiving the gift.
The issue has attracted global attention and spurred calls for deeper reforms in South Africa’s policing system.
