# Sibiya faces jail as witness threats mount

> Suspended police chief Shadrack Sibiya's bail hearing continues after alleged threats to witnesses and offers of cash to drop charges.
- Title: Sibiya faces jail as witness threats mount · Daily Maverick
- Summary: Suspended police chief Shadrack Sibiya's bail hearing continues after alleged threats to witnesses and offers of cash to drop charges. Suspended Deputy…
- Keywords: shadrack sibiya, deputy national commissioner, saps, bail application, rape charges, human trafficking, witness interference, randburg magistrate's court, news, politics, Sibiya, faces
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-02-cash-to-drop-charges-and-threats-for-associates-sibiya-faces-weekend-in-jail
- Author: Nonkululeko Njilo
- Published: 2026-10-02T16:56:56+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: shadrack sibiya, deputy national commissioner, saps, bail application, rape charges, human trafficking, witness interference, randburg magistrate's court, news, politics
## Suspended police chief in court
Suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya appeared in Randburg Magistrate's Court on October two, twenty twenty-six for a formal bail application. He faces six charges including rape, sexual grooming of a minor and human trafficking.
## Fresh threat to witness
The State told the court that a fresh threat was allegedly made against a state witness on Thursday night, just hours after the court adjourned. This intensified concerns about witness interference if Sibiya were released on bail.
## Victims offered cash to drop charges
State prosecutor Velile Makhasana told the court that victims had allegedly been approached and offered money to withdraw the charges. He said the latest threat was not an isolated incident.
## Recorded threat to associate
The court heard a recording of Sibiya speaking to Mr M, his former bodyguard and associate. Sibiya reminded Mr M of financial support he had given him, then said: I can deal with you very quickly and easy but I never did that.

> I can deal with you very quickly and easy but I never did that
## Girls taken to strip club
The court heard that three girls were taken to The Grand, a venue in Sandton with a hotel, restaurant and strip club. The venue had strict entry requirements and charged high entrance fees, restricted to people aged twenty-one and older.
## How girls gained entry
The State alleges Sibiya spoke to the venue manager and instructed one girl to pretend to be his daughter celebrating a birthday. He allegedly told them to dress classy and not use cellphones while at the club.
## Explicit messages and photographs
The court heard that Sibiya and a teenager referred to as ZM exchanged WhatsApp messages at midnight. She sent him a four-minute explicit video, to which he responded: This is hot. I want more. He later allegedly sent her ten naked photographs.

> This is hot. I want more.
## Defence challenges the narrative
Sibiya's lawyer Advocate Amanda Nel argued the three girls were adults in the eyes of the law. Co-counsel SC Estelle Killian said the State was creating a false impression that Sibiya engaged in sexual activity with underage girls.
## Defence blames Mr M
Sibiya's legal team disputed that Mr M was employed as a bodyguard or driver. Nel told the court that Mr M was never employed by Sibiya and that he, not Sibiya, perpetrated the alleged offences.
## Hearing continues next week
Sibiya spent another weekend behind bars at Kgosi Mampuru prison. The bail hearing continues on Wednesday, October seven, twenty twenty-six.
## Key takeaway

Suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya faces six charges including rape and human trafficking. The court heard allegations he threatened a witness and victims were offered money to withdraw charges. His bail hearing continues after another weekend in jail.