Shadrack Sibiya Faces Rape Charges After 18-Year-Old Allegedly Passed Out At Hotel
A senior South African police officer is facing rape, trafficking and sexual grooming charges after the State alleged that he took two young women to a Sandton strip club, bought them alcohol and later raped an 18-year-old woman after she allegedly passed out.
Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, South Africa’s suspended deputy national police commissioner for crime detection, appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
The case has attracted attention because of Sibiya’s senior position within the South African Police Service (SAPS). He faces five charges linked to alleged incidents between May and August 2026.
What The State Alleges Happened In Sandton
According to the charge sheet, Sibiya allegedly arranged transport and accommodation for the 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl before taking them to The Grand, a strip club in Sandton.
The State alleges that he bought them food and alcohol at the venue before continuing to ply them with liquor at the Garden Court Hotel.
It is alleged that the 18-year-old eventually passed out.
The charge sheet states:
“When the complainant had passed out the accused raped her and, on his way out of the hotel room he boasted to the complainant’s friends that she was very nice and still a virgin.”
The State further alleges that Sibiya trafficked or caused three people to be trafficked through alleged abuse of vulnerability, deception or abuse of power for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Separate Allegations Involving 16-Year-Old
Sibiya is also accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl through WhatsApp between 20 July and 3 August 2026.
The State alleges that he obtained nude photographs of the teenager and sent images to her before allegedly persuading her to send sexually explicit videos.
The charge sheet further alleges that he communicated with the girl in a manner intended to encourage or persuade her to participate in a sexual act.
Sibiya Remains In Custody
Sibiya was arrested on Monday night by members of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team and remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the State would oppose bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and concerns about alleged threats against witnesses.
“There is intimidation, there are threats,” Kganyago said, referring to information allegedly received by investigators.
The matter was postponed to 29 September for a formal bail hearing.
Meanwhile, Sibiya’s associate Lazarus Maumela questioned the timing of the arrest and claimed it was connected to an internal succession battle within SAPS. He did not provide evidence establishing that the criminal allegations were linked to such a dispute.
The allegations against Sibiya remain before the court, and he has not been convicted of the offences.