Sibiya bail hearing weighs complainants’ safety fears

The Randburg Magistrates Court is considering whether to grant bail to former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, as two complainants told the court they fear for their safety and that of their families if he is released. Sibiya denies the charges against him. Statements from an 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl were read in court on October 14 as part of the bail proceedings. The older complainant said she had struggled with suicidal thoughts since the alleged assault and feared further harm if Sibiya were released. Her statement described living in constant fear. These are accounts presented to the court, not findings that the alleged conduct occurred. The 16-year-old said she feared for her family, citing alleged threats against her father, who previously worked for Sibiya. Her father has separately alleged that Sibiya threatened to harm or wipe out his family after he reported the matter to police. The claims were presented in court; Sibiya denies the allegations. The State alleges that Sibiya raped the 18-year-old at a Sandton hotel in May 2026 after she lost consciousness. Sibiya says the encounter was consensual.