South Africa's deputy police chief resigns after being charged with sexual offences
Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, South Africa's deputy national police chief, has resigned three weeks after being charged with sexual offences. He denies all the charges.
South Africa's deputy police chief, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, has resigned from the force, police said. His lawyer handed in the resignation letter at a disciplinary hearing on Monday, a police spokesperson said. The move comes three weeks after the senior officer was charged with sexual offences.
The charges
The allegations are that Sibiya sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl and raped an 18-year-old woman. He also faces a charge of trafficking.
Sibiya denies all of the charges. He says he did have sex with the 18-year-old, but maintains it was consensual. He has been held in custody since his arrest three weeks ago, after a court refused him bail.
Status of his departure
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said in a post on X that his exit from the service is regarded as a dishonourable discharge.
Wider context
The case comes while the South African police service is under scrutiny at a major public inquiry into alleged corruption and collusion with criminals. The inquiry, known as the Madlanga Commission, began in September 2025. It has heard accusations that Sibiya received a gift of 20 impalas from an alleged criminal kingpin in exchange for a police contract. He has denied that allegation as well.
