Randburg Magistrates Court, where suspended SAPS lieutenant general Shadrack Sibiya appeared on Monday, 22 September 2026. Image: justice crime prevention and security
Suspended SAPS lieutenant general Shadrack Sibiya has been remanded in custody following his appearance in the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 22 September 2026. The court ordered that the SAPS lieutenant general arrested on sexual offence charges be detained at Kgosi Mampuru Prison. He will return to court on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.
Sibiya faces two serious charges. The first charge relates to the grooming of a 16-year-old between July and August 2026. The second charge relates to the rape of an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May 2026. He is the suspended Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection within the South African Police Service.
Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane confirmed the arrest on Sunday, 21 September 2026. “The South African Police Service can confirm the arrest of a 59-year-old lieutenant general on charges related to sexual offences,” Dimpane said. Furthermore, she confirmed that the officer had been suspended from his duties prior to the arrest.
SAPS Lieutenant General Arrested and Denied Bail
Sibiya did not secure bail at his first appearance. The court remanded him in custody to Kgosi Mampuru Prison, one of South Africa’s maximum security correctional facilities in Pretoria. His detention until 29 September 2026 means he will spend at least one week behind bars before his next opportunity to apply for bail.
In addition, the case drew significant public attention given Sibiya’s seniority within the SAPS. As Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, he held one of the most powerful positions in the country’s law enforcement structure before his suspension. His arrest raises serious questions about conduct within the senior ranks of the police service.
Sibiya’s suspension from the SAPS predates the sexual offence charges. He has been at the centre of internal SAPS disputes for some time. His arrest has reignited debate about accountability and discipline at the highest levels of the police service.
Moreover, a supporter who identified himself as Lazarus Maumela spoke outside the court following the appearance. Maumela claimed the charges were linked to a succession battle within the SAPS rather than genuine criminal conduct. He compared the case to the rape allegation against former president Jacob Zuma before Zuma rose to power. Maumela also confirmed he was present at the Sandton adult establishment where Sibiya was arrested, a detail that drew immediate criticism on social media.
The National Prosecuting Authority has not responded to Maumela’s claims. The SAPS has also not issued a statement on his assertions. Sibiya is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case continues on 29 September 2026 at the Randburg Magistrates Court.