South Africa’s deputy police chief resigns after being charged with sexual offences

Image source, Gallo Images via Getty ImagesImage caption, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya had denied all the charges against him

South Africa's deputy police chief has resigned three weeks after he was charged with sexual offences.

A lawyer representing Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya submitted his resignation letter at his disciplinary hearing on Monday, a police spokesperson said.

The charges relate to allegations that he sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl and raped an 18-year-old woman. He is also facing a charge of trafficking.

Sibiya has denied all the charges. He says he did have sex with the 18 year-old but says it was consensual.

He has been in custody since he was arrested three weeks ago after his bail application was denied.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said in a post on X that his departure from the police force was regarded as a dishonourable discharge, external.

The case comes as the police service is in the spotlight at a major public inquiry over allegations of corruption and collusion with criminals.

The inquiry, known as the Madlanga Commission, began in September 2025 and has heard accusations that Sibiya received a gift of 20 impalas from an alleged criminal kingpin in exchange for a police contract.

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