SIBIYA CASE: One Friendship, Two Stories – Inside the Fallout Between Sibiya and Mr M
The defence alleges a breakdown over money and personal conflict created a motive for
false allegations. The State witness says the relationship ended for a very different
reason.
RANDBURG – Once described in court as friends, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya and the man
identified as Mr M are now at the centre of two sharply competing accounts about how their relationship
collapsed.
The dispute has become important to Sibiya’s bail application because his defence alleges that the
fallout supplied Mr M with a motive to assist in bringing false allegations against him.
Mr M is the father of the 16-year-old complainant identified as ZM and was described during the
proceedings as a former associate of Sibiya.
During cross-examination of investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nokukhanya Ndlovu, the defence
put it to her that Sibiya and Mr M had previously enjoyed a friendship in which Sibiya would at times
provide financial assistance.
Ndlovu acknowledged evidence concerning financial assistance between the men. The court also heard
about a transaction involving a GWM bakkie that Mr M had allegedly sold to Sibiya.
Defence alleges a bitter rift
The defence put forward Sibiya’s version that he had confronted Mr M over alleged inappropriate
conduct towards women and that the relationship later deteriorated. Counsel further alleged that Sibiya
stopped financially assisting Mr M
The alleged motive
On Sibiya’s instructions, the defence argued that the withdrawal of financial assistance and the wider
fallout angered Mr M and provided a motive for him to assist in bringing what Sibiya maintains are false
allegations. That is a defence allegation and has not been established as fact.
State witness gives the opposite account
Ndlovu responded that she had another version. According to the information before her, it was Mr M
who cut ties with Sibiya because of Sibiya’s alleged conduct and no longer wanted an association with
him, including in relation to protection services.
The GWM transaction
The witness also referred to the GWM bakkie transaction and alleged that Sibiya had not completed
payment for the vehicle. The precise significance of the transaction remains part of the competing
narratives being placed before court.
Prosecutor raises character-evidence concern
The exchange prompted an intervention from the State, which raised concerns about repeated
allegations concerning Mr M’s character. The prosecutor warned that the defence appeared to be
moving into character evidence and placed the State’s position on record.
Defence stands by its approach
The defence responded that it was relying on evidence already before the court to support Sibiya’s
case. The confrontation underscored how central Mr M’s credibility, conduct and relationship with Sibiya
may become to the defence strategy.
What remains unresolved
For now, neither version of why the friendship ended has been finally determined. The defence says the
fallout helps explain why false allegations were made; the State’s evidence points to a different cause
for the breakdown. Those competing accounts will ultimately have to be tested against the evidence.
Legal note: The allegations described in this article are before court. Sibiya disputes the allegations against him. Bail
proceedings do not determine guilt, and all accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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