Johannesburg – Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya is facing further scrutiny after a photograph allegedly linking him to a Sandton strip-club venue emerged while his bail application continues.
According to News24, the photograph forms part of concerns surrounding Sibiya’s alleged presence at The Grand in Sandton, where he was arrested on 21 September.
Sibiya is facing charges including rape, sexual grooming of a minor and human trafficking. He denies the allegations.
The State alleges that Sibiya took three young women to The Grand before they went to a nearby hotel, where he allegedly raped one of them.
Eyewitness News reported that investigating officer Detective Nokukhanya Ndlovu told the Randburg Magistrates’ Court that Sibiya took the women to the venue before allegedly taking them to a hotel.
The defence has challenged the State’s description of The Grand as a strip club, arguing that the premises also contains a restaurant and hotel.
“I agree. It’s under the auspice of one name, but there is a restaurant and there is a hotel under the same name, in the same premises,” Ndlovu told the court.
Ndlovu alleged Sibiya told the young women to say they were celebrating a birthday because they were under 21, TimesLIVE said.
The detective said Sibiya allegedly spoke to the venue’s manager, allowing the women into the premises.
“The point where I entered is a strip club and the point where I found the applicant is at the strip club,” Ndlovu told the court.
The Citizen reported that Sibiya’s defence has disputed the circumstances of his arrest, arguing that he was not apprehended inside the strip-club section of the premises.
The court has also heard allegations that some of the complainants were reluctant to report the alleged incidents because of Sibiya’s senior position in the police.
The State has raised concerns that Sibiya’s position could make witnesses vulnerable to intimidation or interference if he is released on bail.
The allegations remain untested in court, and Sibiya has denied the charges. His bail proceedings are continuing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
