South Africa’s deputy police chief, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, has resigned three weeks after being charged with sexual offences. A lawyer representing him submitted the resignation letter at his disciplinary hearing on Monday, a police spokesperson said.
The charges allege that Sibiya sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl and raped an 18-year-old woman. He also faces a charge of trafficking. Sibiya has denied all the charges, although he has said he had sex with the 18-year-old and that it was consensual. He has been in custody since his arrest three weeks ago, after his bail application was refused.
Police describe departure as dishonourable discharge
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said in a post on X that his departure from the police force was regarded as a dishonourable discharge. The announcement came as the case against him moves forward.
Madlanga Commission hears corruption accusations
The case comes as the police service faces scrutiny at a major public inquiry into alleged corruption and collusion with criminals. The inquiry, known as the Madlanga Commission, began in September 2025. It has heard accusations that Sibiya received a gift of 20 impalas from an alleged criminal kingpin in exchange for a police contract.
