Former deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya has resigned from the South African Police Service as his disciplinary hearing got under way, ending his employment with immediate effect.
Sibiya’s legal team tendered his resignation shortly after the disciplinary proceedings began on Monday. Because he had an ongoing disciplinary case at the time of his resignation, the police service said his departure is regarded as a dishonourable discharge.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Sibiya was no longer an employee of the service.
“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.
“The SAPS confirms that Lieutenant General Sibiya’s employment with the service has been terminated with immediate effect,” Mathe said.
The resignation brings Sibiya’s career in the police service to an immediate end, but it does not end the criminal proceedings or other investigations involving him. His resignation also came before the disciplinary hearing could examine the allegations brought against him internally.
Sibiya had been suspended from his position as deputy national police commissioner while facing disciplinary action arising from allegations raised during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The internal case reportedly involved seven disciplinary charges. The allegations included his interactions with controversial businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, the handling of confidential police information and alleged interference in police investigations.
The allegations formed part of wider scrutiny into possible criminal infiltration and undue influence within the criminal justice system. Sibiya has denied the criminal allegations against him and has challenged the actions taken by the State.
Before Monday’s resignation, Sibiya’s disciplinary hearing had already faced delays. He had asked for additional time to consult his legal team, and the proceedings were scheduled to resume on Monday.
He had also approached the Labour Court in an attempt to stop the disciplinary hearing. The urgent application was adjourned to allow the South African Police Service to file opposing papers and for Sibiya to file a replying affidavit.
The resignation now removes Sibiya from the police service, but the legal questions surrounding the disciplinary process and the allegations against him remain part of the wider case.
Criminal charges remain before court
Sibiya is also in custody in connection with criminal charges involving rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking.
The State alleges that he raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel on 16 May 2026 after she was allegedly given alcohol and became unconscious.
He is also accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl through WhatsApp between July and August. The allegations include the possession and distribution of sexual images involving the teenager, who is the daughter of one of Sibiya’s associates.
The State further alleges that Sibiya trafficked three people for sexual exploitation.
Sibiya has denied the allegations. During his bail application, he gave the court his version of his interactions with the 16-year-old and her father. He said he had been invited to a braai at the girl’s home and had later been asked to collect her from Centurion.
He also disputed the State’s allegations relating to the 18-year-old woman and other people he met at a Garden Court hotel. Sibiya told the court that he did not transport anyone and rejected the allegations of sexual exploitation.
The bail application was postponed, and Sibiya remains in custody while the criminal case continues. His resignation from SAPS does not determine the criminal charges against him, which remain before the court.
Sibiya has also questioned the authority of the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team, which investigated matters arising from the commission. He claimed that his arrest resulted from an abuse of power and a defective warrant.
In his bail submissions, he described his arrest as a planned operation based on false allegations. He has asked the court to weigh his personal interests against the interests of justice and release him on bail.
Immediate end to police career
Sibiya’s resignation means he will no longer serve as a police officer or hold the position of deputy national police commissioner. His departure was recorded as a dishonourable discharge because disciplinary proceedings were active when he resigned.
The police service’s confirmation closes his employment record with SAPS, but the criminal case and any related investigations can continue independently of his employment status.
The resignation also means that the disciplinary hearing will not proceed in the same way it would have if Sibiya had remained an employee. The allegations that formed the basis of the internal case remain matters raised during the Madlanga Commission and may continue to be examined through other legal or investigative processes.
The Madlanga Commission brought public attention to claims about criminal networks, corruption and alleged influence within law enforcement. The allegations involving Sibiya were part of the broader questions about the conduct of senior officials and the protection of sensitive police information.
Sibiya’s resignation came as his legal team was preparing to participate in the disciplinary proceedings. Mathe said the resignation was tendered immediately after the hearing got under way.
The decision also followed weeks of legal activity involving Sibiya’s police employment, the Labour Court application and his criminal court case. He had remained suspended while the internal process was pending.
The resignation does not amount to a criminal conviction. Sibiya remains entitled to contest the charges against him in court, and the allegations have not been proven in a criminal trial.
The next developments are expected in the criminal proceedings, including his bail application and the State’s case concerning the allegations of rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking.
The police service has now confirmed that Sibiya’s employment was terminated with immediate effect. His former rank and position will not protect him from the court process, while the investigations connected to the Madlanga Commission allegations remain separate from his departure.
For now, the former senior officer remains in custody and faces criminal proceedings after leaving SAPS with a dishonourable discharge.