New allegations emerge against rape-accused top cop Shadrack Sibiya - IOL

Suspended deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya is facing allegations of rape and sexual grooming of a teenager.

Rape-accused top cop Shadrack Sibiya allegedly exchanged sexually explicit material with the minor daughter of a close friend months before his arrest and later allegedly refused to pay for sexual services, according to information obtained by this publication.

The girl’s father allegedly became alarmed after intercepting the communication between his daughter and Sibiya. He subsequently took possession of the child’s phone and allegedly continued communicating with Sibiya while pretending to be his daughter.

The communication has since become part of the evidence in a criminal complaint against Sibiya, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The child’s father, whose identity is known to this publication but is being withheld to protect the minor, is a complainant in a case opened at the Sandton police station earlier this month. 

Sibiya and the complainant have known each other for several years. Their relationship was reportedly close enough for Sibiya to recently purchase a bakkie from him.

But the relationship allegedly deteriorated following a dispute involving a woman whose services were allegedly arranged through the complainant.

According to sources, the complainant is known to arrange escorts for wealthy clients in Sandton. He also owns a security company.

Sources allege that Sibiya had received the services of one of the women but subsequently refused to pay the agreed amount. The alleged dispute eventually escalated, with the woman threatening to open a criminal case, according to people familiar with the events.

One source claimed that the cost of the services could reach R10,000 a night, depending on the woman selected and the arrangements made with the client.

A person familiar with the relationship between Sibiya and the complainant said the dispute over the alleged non-payment contributed to the breakdown in their relationship.

“He [the complainant's parent] told me the general said he doesn’t pay for sex after spending time with the girl at a hotel in Sandton. He told me to convince the general to settle his account to avoid being accused of rape,” the friend said.

It remains unclear whether the second complainant in the case is the woman whose services were allegedly not paid for.

The allegations involving the minor are separate from the dispute over the alleged non-payment for sexual services, although sources say the matters have become part of the broader investigation into Sibiya.

Sibiya was arrested on September 21, 2026, by members of the South African Police Service’s Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).

In a statement issued on the same day, SAPS Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane confirmed that a 59-year-old senior police officer holding the rank of lieutenant general had been arrested on charges relating to sexual offences.

According to SAPS, the officer faces allegations relating to the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026, as well as the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman. Police said the alleged rape occurred at a hotel in Sandton in May 2026.

Sibiya was expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.

Dimpane condemned the alleged conduct and said police officers had a heightened responsibility to protect women and children from violence, abuse and exploitation.

“Police officers are entrusted with protecting women and children. They cannot themselves be implicated in conduct that undermines this responsibility,” Dimpane said.

She added that rank and seniority could not place anyone above the law and that allegations of criminal conduct against police officers must be investigated “without fear or favour”.

“Our commitment to combating GBVF must apply equally within our own organisation. Rank, position or seniority cannot place anyone above the law. Where credible allegations of criminal conduct are brought against a police officer, they must be investigated without fear or favour,” Dimpane said.

The Acting National Commissioner further said SAPS would continue taking action against members suspected of criminal conduct while respecting due process and the independence of the criminal justice system.

At the time of his arrest, Sibiya was with his friend, Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela, at the Grand Strip Club. He was accompanied by his bodyguard.

The club is owned by Andrew Phillips, who was accused by the now-disbanded Scorpions of running a brothel several years ago.

The Scorpions had accused Phillips of living off the proceeds of prostitution, procuring prostitutes for sex with patrons, perjury and contraventions of the Aliens Act.

The state subsequently shut down Phillips’s strip club, The Ranch.

Sibiya’s arrest has brought renewed scrutiny to the allegations that have been levelled against him. He is yet to plead to the charges and will make his second court appearance before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on September 29 for a formal bail application.

He is remanded at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria until the bail proceedings.