Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya challenges the role of the Madlanga Commission’s recommendations task team, alleging that the sexual-offences case against him is part of a campaign to remove him from the police service.

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya alleges that the criminal case against him was manufactured to force him out of the South African Police Service, according to bail papers supplied to MDNtv.

The allegation forms part of his challenge to both the charges and the circumstances surrounding his arrest. Sibiya denies wrongdoing and says he intends to plead not guilty.

His bail application is before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where his lawyer read his affidavit into the record on Tuesday. (ecr.co.za)

The papers list five charges: promoting the sexual grooming of a child, two counts of sexual grooming of a child, trafficking in persons and rape.

At the centre of his argument is a claim that the team responsible for pursuing matters arising from the Madlanga Commission became involved in a case that, he maintains, falls outside that mandate.

“The obvious but crucial question that needs to be answered by The State is why the CRTT and its members involved themselves in a matter that clearly did NOT emerge from the Commission’s scope or mandate,” the supplied papers state.

Sibiya goes further, alleging that the case was brought because efforts to remove him through matters arising from the Madlanga Commission had not achieved that objective.

He contends that “all allegations are aimed at removing me from the SAPS sphere”.

These are Sibiya’s allegations in support of his bail application, rather than findings establishing misconduct by investigators or prosecutors.

Sibiya also challenges the relationship between the warrant used to arrest him and a separate warrant used to search his property.

According to his account, police arrested him at The Grand in Rivonia on 21 September 2026 under a warrant linked to a Sandton case.

He says the search warrant served on him afterwards concerned a different investigation registered in Durban, involving suspected offences including defeating or obstructing the course of justice, conspiracy, fraud and corruption.

His argument is that the search warrant was unrelated to the sexual-offences charges forming the subject of his bail application. He disputes the lawfulness of searches aimed at obtaining evidence for those charges.

The papers also contain an express denial that he concealed devices sought by investigators or was instructed by anyone to do so.

The State previously opposed his release, citing concerns about possible witness interference and escape. Those concerns were raised at his first appearance, before the formal bail hearing. (mg.co.za)

Sibiya rejects the alleged escape plan. In the supplied papers, he argues that his public profile would make an attempt to evade trial readily detectable and invites the State to produce evidence supporting its allegation.

He also says he is prepared to comply with reasonable bail conditions, including reporting to a police station.

Alongside his challenge to the investigation, Sibiya argues that continued detention could prejudice his preparations for a disciplinary hearing concerning his future in SAPS.

The papers identify proposed hearing dates of 2–6 November and 10–20 November 2026. He says he needs an opportunity to prepare with his legal representatives and participate in those proceedings.

His application therefore brings together two arguments: that he disputes the criminal case against him, and that continued detention would harm his ability to defend his employment and meet his personal responsibilities.

Sibiya’s denials do not resolve the charges. The criminal allegations, his account of events and his accusations against those pursuing the case remain matters to be tested through the court process.

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