360m Rand Police Contract at Center of Sibiya Rape Charges

A 360m rand (£16.7m) police health services contract sits at the centre of the widening legal troubles of Shadrack Sibiya, the deputy national police commissioner who has now been charged with rape and child grooming on top of the corruption allegations already entangling his career.

Sibiya was arrested on Monday and charged with rape, people trafficking, promoting the sexual grooming of a child and two counts of grooming a child. He had already been suspended from the post over allegations that he interfered with political killings investigations.

The commercial thread predates the criminal charges. When Sibiya appeared before the Madlanga Commission judicial inquiry in February, he denied allegations that he had moved 121 political killings investigations from KwaZulu-Natal province to the national head office without explanation. He also denied receiving a gift of 20 impalas from Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman who received an allegedly fraudulent 360m rand police health services contract soon after the alleged gift. Matlala, who faces charges including attempted murder, fraud and money laundering, declined to comment on the impalas when he appeared at the commission in August, saying he did not want to incriminate himself while the matter was under investigation.

Meanwhile, the criminal case has moved quickly. According to the charge sheet, Sibiya is accused of raping an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in May in Sandton, Johannesburg’s business district. The document states the alleged rape took place “whilst she was passed out due to intoxication administered by the accused”. The alleged grooming of a 16-year-old girl occurred over WhatsApp between 20 July and 3 August, and allegedly included Sibiya sending the girl naked photos of herself that she had not sent to him.

He appeared briefly in a Johannesburg court on Tuesday but did not enter a plea. His lawyer told the court, according to News24, that they needed more time to consult with him and take instructions. Prosecutors argued he was an escape risk, and he was taken to prison in Pretoria ahead of a bail hearing on 29 September.

The timing is difficult for the police service, which is facing scrutiny on two fronts: the Madlanga Commission has spent the past year examining allegations of corruption and criminality within the force, while September brought the discovery of nine women’s bodies across Ekurhuleni, the municipality east of Johannesburg.

The procurement allegations and the new sexual offence charges together have drawn sharp responses from the service’s leadership. Puleng Dimpane, the acting national police commissioner, said officers are entrusted with protecting women and children and cannot themselves be implicated in conduct that undermines that responsibility. “As the country continues to confront the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, there can be no room for anyone within the police service who is alleged to abuse their position or violate the rights of women and children,” she said.

Firoz Cachalia, the acting police minister, condemned the alleged conduct. “Where allegations of sexual offences are made against a member of the service, they must be investigated without fear or favour,” he said.

For an institution already under judicial examination over corruption and criminality, the charges against one of its most senior officers deepen questions about oversight and accountability. The bail hearing on 29 September will be the next procedural step, while the Madlanga Commission continues its work into the force’s internal affairs, including the contract at the heart of the case.