Court denies Shadrack Sibiya bail

The Randburg Magistrates Court denied former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya bail on October 20, 2026, leaving him in custody as criminal proceedings continue. Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe ruled that Sibiya had not shown exceptional circumstances justifying his release pending trial. The decision does not determine whether Sibiya is guilty. He denies the charges, which include assault, sexual grooming, human trafficking and a firearms-related offence. The allegations include the assault of an 18-year-old woman and the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl. In the ruling, Mkhasibe said evidence indicated Sibiya could interfere with evidence and that no bail condition could ensure he complied. The court’s reported concerns included allegations that he knew his phones were being intercepted and had disposed of cellphone evidence. The State had argued that he could intimidate witnesses, interfere with the investigation or flee. Sibiya’s lawyer, Estelle Killian, had proposed bail of R20,000, surrender of his passport and restrictions on contact with complainants or witnesses, according to a report on the hearing. The defence argued that the State had not...