Shadrack Sibiya bail battle: Court wants teen complainants’ statements

Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe has ordered prosecutors to make statements from a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman available as former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya fights for bail.

Mkhasibe made the request at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 13 October, where Sibiya faces serious criminal charges, including rape, human trafficking and the sexual grooming of a minor.

The State continues to oppose his release, citing concerns over possible witness intimidation.

Sibiya denies the allegations.

WHAT ARE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SHADRACK SIBIYA?

Prosecutors accuse Sibiya of grooming the 16-year-old through WhatsApp messages and telephone conversations between May and August 2026.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nokukhanya Ndlovu previously told the court that Sibiya allegedly requested explicit photographs and videos from the teenager and instructed her to keep their communication secret.

The State also accuses him of raping the 18-year-old at a Sandton hotel after she consumed alcohol.

However, Sibiya disputes the allegations.

He admitted having sex with the older complainant but insisted that she had consented.

He also denied grooming the younger girl, claiming her father had told him that she had a crush on him.

Mkhasibe has now requested both complainants’ statements as she considers the evidence presented during the bail hearing.

COURT UPDATE: Bail hearing in the case against former Deputy National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Shadrack Mongo Sibiya (59) continues in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court. He is facing rape and sexual grooming charges.

📹NPA/Magaboke Mohlatlole pic.twitter.com/DwyOyBVe4E

— NPASouthAfrica (@NPA_Prosecutes)

October 13, 2026

EXPLOSIVE AUDIO RECORDING PLAYED IN COURT

Earlier on Tuesday, prosecutors played a 25-minute recording of a conversation between businessman Serge Cabonge and a man identified as Mr M, the father of the 16-year-old complainant.

Cabonge made several allegations involving his dealings with Sibiya and other prominent figures, including businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

He also claimed that a person associated with the Madlanga Commission had sought his assistance to conceal a criminal offence following a road accident in Sandton.

According to Cabonge, the same individual later advised him to leave South Africa after his name surfaced during testimony before the commission.

The court has not verified these claims, and the recording does not establish wrongdoing by those implicated.

WITNESS CLAIMS SIBIYA THREATENED HIS FAMILY

Mr M also accused Sibiya of threatening him and his family.

In an affidavit, he alleged that Sibiya warned him that he knew his family and could harm them.

“I know what General Sibiya is capable of,” he said.

Mr M claimed that the alleged threats left him fearing for his family’s safety.

Prosecutors have used the witness intimidation allegations to argue against granting Sibiya bail.

His defence disputes the claims and has challenged aspects of the evidence that the State presented.

The matter has been postponed to Wednesday, 14 October.