South Africa's former deputy police chief Sibiya denied bail
A South African court has refused bail to Shadrack Sibiya, the country's former deputy national police commissioner. He faces charges of rape, trafficking and sexually grooming a child.
Shadrack Sibiya, South Africa's former deputy national police commissioner, has been refused bail and will remain in custody ahead of trial. FRANCE 24 reported the decision on 21 October 2026. The ruling matters because the accused held one of the most senior posts in the national police service.
The charges
Sibiya is charged with rape and trafficking. He is also accused of sexually grooming a child, which means deliberately preparing a minor for sexual exploitation.
The investigators' argument
Investigators opposed his release. They argued that the people accusing him would be in danger if he were freed. That safety concern was one of the grounds put forward for keeping him behind bars.
The source does not say which court heard the case, when the next hearing is due, or how Sibiya responds to the allegations. Until a court delivers a verdict, he is considered accused rather than convicted.
The case was reported for FRANCE 24 by its correspondent Eunice Masson.
