South Africa’s Deputy Police Chief Shadrack Sibiya Resigns Amid Sexual Offence Charges

South Africa’s suspended deputy national police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, has resigned from the South African Police Service (SAPS) while facing criminal charges and internal disciplinary proceedings over alleged misconduct.

Sibiya’s lawyer submitted his resignation on Monday, 12 October 2026, shortly after a disciplinary hearing began. The police service confirmed that his employment ended with immediate effect and classified his departure as a “dishonourable discharge” because disciplinary proceedings were pending at the time of his resignation.

The 59-year-old former deputy police chief has been in custody since his arrest last month over allegations involving sexual offences. He faces accusations of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl, raping an 18-year-old woman and human trafficking. Sibiya denies the allegations, although he has acknowledged having sex with the adult complainant, maintaining that it was consensual. He has not been convicted of these offences.

Sibiya Also Faces Corruption and Misconduct Allegations

Beyond the criminal charges, Sibiya has been under scrutiny over alleged links to organised crime figures. Those allegations contributed to his suspension in September 2025 and later featured in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating claims of corruption and collusion between police officers and criminal networks.

During the inquiry, Sibiya was accused of interfering with investigations into politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal. He was also accused of receiving cash and 20 impalas from an alleged criminal kingpin in connection with a police contract. Sibiya has denied the allegations.

His internal disciplinary case included allegations of misconduct arising from matters raised before the commission. However, his resignation ended the police service’s disciplinary proceedings against him as an employee; it does not, by itself, establish whether the allegations are true or determine the outcome of the separate criminal case. (EWN)

Madlanga Commission Draws Attention to Police-Crime Links

The Madlanga Commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa following serious allegations about relationships between senior officials and criminal networks. The inquiry has placed police accountability, alleged interference in investigations and possible criminal influence within law enforcement under intense public scrutiny.

The controversy also involves suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was accused by KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner of links to criminal gangs. Mchunu has denied the allegations.

Sibiya’s resignation marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of South Africa’s police leadership. His criminal case remains separate from his departure from the police service, and the allegations against him remain subject to the legal process.

African360 News will continue to follow developments in the case and the wider Madlanga Commission inquiry.

African360 WhatsApp Channel for more News update:  https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7Oc6nGk1FpdCN0xn44