Former Deputy National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Shadrack Sibiya will remain in custody after the Randburg Magistrate’s Court denied his bail application.

Sibiya appeared in court today facing five charges, including rape, trafficking in persons, promoting the sexual grooming of a child, and two counts of sexual grooming of a child.

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According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the State alleges that the accused sexually groomed the child through electronic communication between July and August.

He also faces a rape charge relating to an alleged incident involving an adult female complainant earlier this year. The trafficking in persons charge stems from allegations involving three individuals.

State highlights risk of witness intimidation.

NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago explained that during the bail proceedings, the State argued that the interests of justice did not permit the accused’s release on bail. The State further submitted that the complainants were in a state of fear and that there was a likelihood they could be threatened or intimidated if the accused was released.

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He said the State also argued that no bail conditions could adequately address the risks involved, including the possibility of the accused interfering with witnesses or tampering with evidence.

“In denying bail, the court considered the vulnerability of the complainants and the potential risk of interference with evidence. The court further held that the accused had failed to discharge the onus of satisfying it that the interests of justice permitted his release on bail.”

Case postponed for further investigations.

The matter has been postponed to November 24 for further investigation. Kganyago added that the NPA remains committed to ensuring that cases involving allegations of sexual offences, trafficking in persons, and the exploitation of children are prosecuted diligently.

“The decision to deny bail underscores the importance of safeguarding vulnerable complainants and protecting the integrity of the criminal justice process.”

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