South Africa’s suspended deputy national police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, has resigned from the police service while facing criminal charges and allegations of misconduct.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed on Monday, October 12, that Sibiya’s resignation took immediate effect after his legal representative submitted the letter at the start of his disciplinary hearing.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said his departure would be classified as a “dishonourable discharge” because disciplinary proceedings were already underway when he resigned. The police service confirmed that he was no longer an employee.
Sibiya, 59, had been suspended since September 2025 following allegations linking him to organised crime figures and possible interference in police investigations.
He is also facing criminal charges involving the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl, the rape of an 18-year-old woman and human trafficking. He denies the allegations, although he has acknowledged having sex with the adult complainant, maintaining that it was consensual. He has remained in custody since his arrest last month.
Separately, Sibiya has been implicated in allegations presented before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating claims of corruption and collusion between police officers and criminal networks.
Among the accusations are claims that he received cash and 20 impalas from an alleged criminal figure in connection with a police contract. He has denied wrongdoing.
The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa following allegations of criminal infiltration and corruption within the police service.
