‘I can deal with you’: Court hears Sibiya threaten 16-year-old’s father

Suspended top cop Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya allegedly threatened the father of a 16-year-old girl, whom he is accused of sexually grooming.

The Randburg Magistrates Court has played a recording of suspended senior police officer Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya allegedly threatening the father of a 16-year-old girl, telling him he could “deal with you very quickly and easily.”

Sibiya is accused of sexually grooming the teenager.

The recording was played during the cross-examination of Detective Nokukhanya Ndlovu, an investigating officer attached to the Commission Recommendations Task Team.

The state is relying on the recording to support its opposition to Sibiya’s bail application.

In the clip, Sibiya expresses his disappointment with the man and reminds him of the financial support he had provided.

He said he gave him between R4,000 and R10,000 on different occasions, as well as his bank card to buy groceries.

“I took you like my younger brother,” Sibiya is heard saying.

Sibiya accused the man of saying bad things about him and telling others to have him arrested, despite Sibiya remaining close to him and continuing to support him.

“But in turn, you were saying bad things about me, and you even told them to arrest me. You did me so many wrong things, while I was still close to you,” Sibiya is heard saying.

“The easiest person to deal with is you. I can deal with you very quickly and easily,” he says.

Sibiya adds that he never acted against the man, despite knowing what he had been saying about him.

The state also played a second recording in which a caller can allegedly be heard saying they were approached by a SAPS officer who wanted them to coordinate with the girl’s father to influence the outcome of the Sibiya case in exchange for a bribe.

Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe ordered that a proper translation of the recordings be prepared. 

The translation is expected to be provided next week.

Sibiya’s legal team said it would deal with the recording later, describing it as new evidence.

Sibiya faces five charges, including rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking. 

A further charge relating to the alleged negligent possession of a firearm has also been added.

The 59-year-old senior police officer was arrested last week following an investigation by the Commission Recommendations Task Team, which is examining matters arising from the Madlanga Commission.

The state alleges that Sibiya raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel on May 16 after she was allegedly given alcohol and lost consciousness. 

Ndlovu has since acknowledged in court that the charge sheet contained an error and that the alleged incident date should be May 15, not May 16.

Sibiya is also accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl via WhatsApp between July and August, including allegedly possessing and sharing sexually explicit images of her. 

The teenager is the daughter of an associate of Sibiya.

The state further alleges that Sibiya trafficked three people for sexual exploitation.

The state maintains that it has a strong case against Sibiya and is opposing his release on bail.