The state has introduced chilling allegations of past witness assassination and ongoing interference involving Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela to oppose the bail application of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya.

Appearing before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court, the investigating officer strongly urged the court to take into account a pattern of severe witness intimidation, citing a prior incident where a witness was killed shortly after their identity was revealed in an affidavit.

Sibiya is currently facing heavy charges, including rape, sexual grooming of a minor, human trafficking, and firearm-related offences.

The allegations presented during the bail proceedings have not yet been proven in court.

In a bid to demonstrate the severe risk of releasing the high-ranking officer, the investigating officer detailed a previous, unrelated case involving the applicant.

According to the state’s evidence, a witness was allegedly assassinated after Sibiya became aware that the individual’s name was contained within a legal affidavit.

The state argued that this past incident underscores the catastrophic risk to current complainants, who are reportedly living in extreme terror.

The court previously heard that the minor victims are experiencing severe psychological distress, prompting authorities to initiate entries into the Witness Protection Programme.

Central to the prosecution’s argument of active witness interference is a recorded phone conversation featuring Sibiya’s close associate, Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela.

In the audio playback presented to the court, Maumela is heard pressuring “Mr M”—the father of the 16-year-old complainant—demanding that the family drop the grooming charges and persuade an 18-year-old rape complainant to withdraw her case.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that investigators are analyzing electronic devices and probing whether Sibiya directly orchestrated these threats through what they described as a “cabal”.

The NPA is still deliberating whether criminal charges will be formally brought against Maumela.

Sibiya’s legal representative, Estelle Killian, vehemently denied that the suspended Lieutenant-General had any hand in the intimidation tactics, branding Maumela as an overzealous associate who “will talk at every opportunity”.

The defence further submitted an affidavit from Sibiya’s son, Ofentse Magwenya, asserting that the family never authorized Maumela to approach or influence any state witnesses.

Maumela himself issued a public apology outside the court, taking responsibility for his actions while withdrawing prior critical remarks about state entities.

The state maintains that Sibiya’s immense influence and senior stature within the South African Police Service (SAPS) present an undeniable threat to the administration of justice if he is granted bail.

The bail application remains ongoing.

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