Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya is no longer a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) after tendering his resignation during disciplinary proceedings on Monday, bringing his career in the police service to an abrupt end.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 12, SAPS confirmed that Sibiya’s resignation took effect immediately after his legal representative tendered it when the disciplinary hearing commenced.
The police service said his departure would be regarded as a dishonourable discharge because he had an outstanding disciplinary case against him at the time of his resignation.
“The SAPS confirms that Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya is no longer an employee of the Service with effect from Monday, 12 October 2026,” the statement read.
It added: “As the former senior officer had an ongoing disciplinary case against him at the time of his resignation, his departure from the Service is therefore regarded as a dishonourable discharge.”
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Sibiya’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.
The development follows weeks of legal and disciplinary proceedings involving the former senior police officer, who has been suspended while facing criminal charges and allegations of misconduct arising from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Disciplinary proceedings
Sibiya’s disciplinary hearing had been scheduled to resume on Monday after being postponed the previous week to allow him time to consult his legal representatives.
His legal team had separately approached the Labour Court in an attempt to halt the internal disciplinary proceedings while he dealt with his criminal case.
The SAPS had maintained that the disciplinary process and the Labour Court proceedings were separate matters running in parallel.
The hearing was postponed on October 5 at Sibiya’s request to allow further consultation with his lawyers. The Labour Court application was also adjourned to allow the police service to file opposing papers and Sibiya’s legal team to submit a replying affidavit.
His resignation on Monday, however, means he has left the police service before the internal disciplinary proceedings could run their course.
The SAPS statement did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the resignation beyond confirming that it was tendered by his legal representative after proceedings commenced.
Arrest and criminal charges
Sibiya was arrested on September 21, 2026, by the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team.
He subsequently appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where he applied for bail in a criminal case involving allegations of sexual offences and human trafficking.
The charges include rape, human trafficking, sexual grooming of a minor and negligent handling of a firearm. The firearm-related charge was added during the bail proceedings after prosecutors raised concerns about a firearm allegedly found in his vehicle.
The allegations include the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman and sexual grooming involving a 16-year-old girl. The trafficking charge relates to alleged sexual exploitation.
Sibiya has not been convicted of these offences, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal court process.
His bail proceedings were postponed to Tuesday, October 13, when he is expected to return to the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
His departure from the police service does not, in itself, resolve the criminal case against him.
Madlanga Commission allegations
Sibiya’s professional standing had also come under scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference within the criminal justice system.
The commission heard allegations concerning the disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team, the removal of case dockets and Sibiya’s alleged relationships with individuals linked to criminal investigations.
Other allegations included claims that he received gifts, including 20 impalas, from alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and shared confidential police information.
These remain allegations and should not be treated as established findings of criminal guilt.
Sibiya’s resignation marks a significant development in the internal accountability process at the SAPS, as investigations and court proceedings involving the former senior officer continue.
While the police service has confirmed that he is no longer employed, the criminal charges against him remain before the courts.
