Sibiya
By Mpho Moloi
Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, the Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, says he is “disturbed and surprised” after receiving a letter instructing him to step aside on special leave while serious allegations against him are investigated. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed on Tuesday in Durban that Sibiya had been placed on special leave pending a probe into explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The development is the latest twist in a fast‑moving crisis shaking the South African Police Service (SAPS) at a time when public confidence in law enforcement is already fragile. Sibiya’s removal from active duty follows weeks of turbulence triggered by Mkhwanazi’s public accusations that elements within SAPS, including high-ranking officials, were linked to criminal syndicates and that political interference had derailed key investigations.
In a candid interview, Sibiya expressed shock at receiving the special leave directive without any prior consultation with Masemola. He said he remains committed to clearing his name through the formal processes announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who on Sunday established a judicial commission of inquiry into the allegations. “In relation to what happened, where I got a letter that suggests that I should be at home because there are some investigations being conducted against me, that one, I’m a little bit disturbed and surprised in a sense that once the President announced that there’s going to be an inquiry that will determine and produce a report. All of us need to comply and wait for our turn,” he said.
Sibiya’s tone throughout his responses has been measured. He has repeatedly emphasised his belief in due process, telling Newzroom Afrika that the country must allow the inquiry to run its course rather than jump to conclusions. “It is my wish that all of us could wait for that process, not to jump the gun, not to run before the donkey cart, not to attempt to interfere or to temper with the evidence of the commission or the witnesses of the commission,” he said.
He further explained that he had not spoken directly to General Masemola about the special leave and was instead served with the letter by another deputy commissioner because Masemola was in KwaZulu-Natal receiving a memorandum from protesters at the time. “I never actually spoke to him. He actually gave another deputy to be the one to do the job,” Sibiya said.
The allegations that led to Sibiya’s special leave are rooted in the controversial press briefing by Mkhwanazi on 6 July. In that briefing, Mkhwanazi alleged that a special task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal had secured over 100 convictions before being abruptly shut down in late 2023. According to Mkhwanazi, more than 120 dockets relating to political assassinations were taken away from the task team, effectively freezing its work. He suggested that the closure came after investigators started connecting firearms from unsolved murders to prominent figures in business and politics.
Mkhwanazi went further, alleging links between Sibiya, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and other officers to a businessman accused of attempted murder who had won a R360 million tender. He claimed that cellphone data placed this businessman at the centre of efforts to block investigations and redirect sensitive cases. Sibiya has dismissed these claims as unfounded and said there is no evidence to support them.
These allegations have sparked national outrage. Many South Africans have expressed anger at what they see as powerful individuals sabotaging justice in order to shield themselves from accountability. Civil society organisations and political commentators have called for decisive action to restore trust in law enforcement, especially in a country battling high crime rates and ongoing issues with organised crime.
In response to the growing crisis, President Ramaphosa announced on Sunday that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu would take an immediate leave of absence while a judicial commission of inquiry, led by a senior judge, investigates the claims. Ramaphosa appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia, a respected constitutional law expert and former provincial minister, as acting police minister until the inquiry concludes. The President emphasised that all implicated individuals would be given the chance to clear their names through the commission’s processes.
Sibiya has welcomed the President’s decision and expressed confidence that the commission will be the correct platform to address the allegations against him. “All of us will be given an opportunity to be heard, and that it is the commission that will submit a report or reports. It is the commission that will determine who must be investigated for what, who must be suspended, who must be prosecuted for what,” he said.
Despite his calm approach, Sibiya admitted that the accusations have hurt him deeply. He said he was saddened by how the matter has been handled in public, arguing that the spectacle has damaged the reputation of the police service. “The only thing that pains me is the manner in which the organisation was put into disrepute and the manner in which this thing was done. The country thrown into turmoil just like that. All the gains that have been gained by the police service in the fight against crime, all of it has been like that, and I must apologise to the people of South Africa,” he said.
When asked about marches held in KwaZulu-Natal in support of Mkhwanazi, Sibiya said he was deeply pained by how public opinion appeared to be shifting against him based on one side of the story. “It breaks my heart when someone is able to mobilise the whole nation against you, when in fact if you were to go into court now and we say okay if there are these allegations that were made and the question is asked and say okay where do you place or position General in all this? What is it that you say he has, and let’s see,” Sibiya explained.
The broader context of these allegations includes political tensions and the long‑running issue of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. Since 2018, the province has battled waves of assassinations linked to local power struggles, tender disputes and organised crime. The disbandment of the task team, which had been set up to tackle these killings, has fuelled speculation that powerful interests interfered to halt investigations.
Sibiya has denied having any role in disbanding the task team or mishandling sensitive dockets. “I’ve never even seen one of them. I don’t have them in my office. I don’t have a safe in my office. I don’t have any archive. I’ve never withdrawn any docket from anybody,” he said. He also dismissed suggestions that he was in contact with inmates or criminal suspects to influence investigations, saying: “I’ve never involved myself in any criminal activity. I’m not involved in crime and I have never contacted him.”
National Commissioner Masemola has also addressed the media to confirm Sibiya’s special leave, saying that SAPS will not tolerate interference in investigations. Masemola said Sibiya has been instructed to step aside while internal investigations proceed. “Yes, he has been instructed to stay home while investigations regarding the matter are ongoing,” Masemola said. He added that the police leadership would not prejudge the outcome but stressed that decisions would be made once the probe is complete.
The situation has also raised questions about Mkhwanazi’s own future. His five‑year contract as KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner is set to expire in August. Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has praised Mkhwanazi’s performance and called for his contract to be renewed, while others believe his outspoken approach may cost him the post. Masemola said no decision has been made and that discussions on contract renewals are usually held several months in advance.
Security around Mkhwanazi has been strengthened after threats emerged following his press briefing. Masemola said SAPS has taken the threats seriously and provided extra protection to ensure his safety. He also rejected suggestions that there is a plot within SAPS to silence Mkhwanazi.
The Public Protector has confirmed that her office is also looking into aspects of the allegations, while the State Security Agency has been given files for further assessment. These parallel processes reflect the gravity of the claims, but Sibiya has warned against running investigations outside the formal commission. “If I receive a letter today that says I must stay at home because I’m being investigated, people are running around obtaining statements. Is that not a parallel process to that which the President has put in place?” he asked.
Political parties have also weighed in, with opposition figures saying Sibiya’s special leave is not enough and calling for full suspensions of all implicated officers. They argue that leaving them in positions of influence, even if on special leave, risks compromising the integrity of the investigations.
Sibiya has stood firm that he will respect the law and wait for his chance to be heard before the inquiry. He has asked South Africans to remain patient and fair, saying that he trusts the country’s legal processes to clear his name. “Let us allow the process to unfold. Let us all take our evidence there and then go and present and we will all have our opportunities,” he said.
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