Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya’s formal bail application was rocked by a series of explosive allegations on Thursday, including claims that he exchanged sexually explicit messages with a 16-year-old girl, that people close to him attempted to contact a complainant and that his lawyer’s actions may have helped him avoid arrest.

The Randburg Magistrates’ Court heard detailed evidence from the investigating officer as the State continued opposing bail for the 59-year-old senior police officer, who faces allegations including rape, human trafficking and sexual grooming.

His bail hearing was adjourned on Thursday and is set to continue on Friday.

Sibiya denies the charges. He has previously told the court that his sexual encounter with an 18-year-old woman was consensual and denied sexually grooming the 16-year-old girl.

The State’s case on Thursday centred heavily on communications allegedly exchanged between Sibiya and the two complainants.

The investigating officer told the court that WhatsApp exchanges formed part of the evidence against Sibiya and that messages involving the 16-year-old allegedly included sexual content.

The court also heard that Sibiya allegedly had a lengthy telephone conversation with the girl, during which he allegedly told her to “preserve” herself for him and not engage in sexual activity with anyone else.

The investigating officer further testified that Sibiya allegedly sent explicit videos to the minor, without her first sending them to him.

The court was also told that Sibiya allegedly requested explicit images from the girl, including an image of her private parts, as well as a video of her masturbating.

According to the evidence presented, the video was about four minutes and 55 seconds long. The State said Sibiya responded to it by describing it as “amazing”.

These allegations have not been tested at trial.

The court also heard about events at strip club The Grand in Sandton, where the State alleges young women were given alcohol and encouraged to participate in a drinking game involving “Dare or Double Dare” and twerking.

The State’s case is that the events form part of the circumstances surrounding the charges against Sibiya.

Another major issue was whether Sibiya knew he was facing possible criminal charges before his arrest.

Prosecutor Velile Makasana questioned Sibiya’s lawyer, Rishaad Moosa, about correspondence sent to the National Prosecuting Authority after Sibiya allegedly became aware that he could be investigated.

The State suggested that the correspondence and other actions amounted to assistance in avoiding arrest.

Moosa denied attempting to help Sibiya evade arrest.

His legal team argued that the purpose was to establish whether an investigation existed and avoid a public spectacle, rather than to help Sibiya flee or evade the law.

The State also raised concerns about possible interference with witnesses.

A particularly contentious issue was Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela, a close associate of Sibiya, who allegedly contacted a complainant after Sibiya’s arrest.

An affidavit from Sibiya’s son, Ofentse Magwenya, was read into the record. Magwenya said Maumela’s engagement with the complainant was not undertaken on his father’s instructions and that neither he nor his family had asked the bishop to contact, threaten or intimidate any witness.

The court also heard evidence relating to a recorded telephone conversation in which Maumela allegedly discussed Sibiya’s arrest and sought contact with a complainant.

The State is relying on these developments in its argument that releasing Sibiya could create a risk of witness interference.

The prosecution has previously raised concerns about alleged threats against witnesses and argued that people associated with Sibiya could interfere with the investigation.

Sibiya is also now facing an additional firearm-related charge.

His legal team told the court that prosecutors had notified them of a charge relating to the alleged negligent or unlawful storage of a firearm found in his vehicle on the day of his arrest.

It was reported that the new charge relates to alleged unlawful storage of a firearm and brings the number of charges against Sibiya to six.

Throughout Thursday’s proceedings, Sibiya remained in the dock.

At times he lowered his head and shook it, while he was also seen wiping or holding his face. He appeared to become visibly emotional at points during the proceedings, with his eyes appearing to fill with tears. At another point, he was seen repeatedly grinding his teeth.

After spending the day in court, Sibiya was heard telling those around him as he left the courtroom: “Go tla siama. Go boima mara go tla loka.”

The phrase loosely translates to: “Everything will be okay. It’s tough, but all shall be well.”

The State has argued that Sibiya’s alleged conduct, the seriousness of the charges and concerns around possible witness interference should be considered when the court decides whether to release him on bail.

Sibiya remains in custody pending the continuation of the bail proceedings.