Randburg – A 25-minute audio recording played during former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya’s bail application has raised fresh questions about alleged criminal connections, a reported kidnapping and claims of contact with the Hawks.
The recording, heard at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, captures a conversation between businessman Serge Cabonge and a man identified in court as “Mr M”, the father of a 16-year-old girl linked to the case.
According to a report by Newsnote on the court recording, a speaker describes how he allegedly investigated a telephone number linked to a person said to be connected to the Madlanga Commission before learning of a reported kidnapping.
In the recording, the speaker claims a man identified as Mohammed had been kidnapped and that those responsible demanded R2.5 million.
Disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has been dishonourably discharged and stripped of his rank after resigning amid disciplinary proceedings. Willem Els of the Institute for Security Studies says this will affect Sibiya’s pension, leaving him without monthly payments. Tune in to #eNCA on #DStv403.
— eNCA (@eNCA) October 13, 2026
The speaker further alleges that Mohammed offered him R1 million to help secure his release, prompting him to contact colleagues in the Hawks.
“I called my Hawks guys to tell them there’s a guy that’s been kidnapped,” the speaker says in the recording.
The claims have not been independently verified, and the recording alone does not establish that any person mentioned committed a crime.
The latest allegations emerged during Sibiya’s ongoing bail application. He was arrested in September and faces charges including rape, human trafficking, the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl and contravention of the Firearms Control Act.
The case has attracted attention over allegations against the senior police officer and concerns about possible links between people in positions of authority and individuals connected to criminal investigations.
In its report on Tuesday’s court proceedings, The South African reported that the recording also contained allegations involving prominent figures and an alleged criminal cover-up. The publication cautioned that the claims had not been independently verified and did not establish wrongdoing by those named.
The recording comes after an earlier audio clip was played during the bail proceedings. The Citizen reported on that recording, which allegedly captured Sibiya threatening Mr M, prompting concerns about possible witness intimidation.
Sibiya’s defence has challenged aspects of the allegations against him. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
