Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya has taken the South African Police Service (SAPS) to court in an urgent bid to return to work after being ordered by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to take a leave of absence. This directive came amid serious allegations against him, including claims of interfering in political murder investigations and collusion with certain individuals to disband the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team. Sibiya challenges the legality of the leave of absence order, arguing that SAPS bypassed its own disciplinary procedures, as a leave of absence is ordinarily voluntary and not a disciplinary measure, unlike suspension which is clearly defined in SAPS regulations.
The controversy intensified as the Police Minister was absent at the time, creating a leadership vacuum amid this crisis. The Democratic Alliance has called for clarity on the allegations and the process followed, pointing out that the decision to place Sibiya on leave undermines institutional integrity and proper accountability. An inquiry has been initiated following accusations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleges that Sibiya was involved in political interference and corruption within SAPS. Sibiya’s court case represents a significant moment in this ongoing struggle over governance, accountability, and political influence within the South African Police Service.
Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya is a senior South African Police Service (SAPS) official currently serving as the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection. His career spans over three decades, marked by both notable achievements and recent controversies that have rocked the SAPS and the broader political landscape.
Career Timeline:
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1989: Began his career as a student constable in SAPS.
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By 2015: Served as the Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng, holding the rank of Major General. His dismissal from this post was later ruled procedurally and substantively unfair by the Labour Court.
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2016 to 2022: Held the position of Executive Director for the City of Johannesburg, leading forensic and investigative services until August 2022.
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2022: Successfully appealed for reinstatement in SAPS and resumed a senior role as Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection.
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July 2022 to Present: Serving as Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection at SAPS.
Recent Controversies and Legal Challenges:
In July 2025, Lieutenant General Sibiya was placed on a leave of absence by SAPS amid serious allegations linked to political interference and corruption within the police force. This step was unprecedented because SAPS bypassed formal suspension procedures as regulated under their disciplinary codes, instead controversially opting for a leave of absence, which is normally voluntary and unrelated to disciplinary action. This move raised significant questions about governance and transparency within SAPS.
The allegations center on claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Sibiya of colluding with individuals including Brown Mogotsi and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team. Specifically, Sibiya was alleged to have withdrawn 121 case dockets from the task team without proper authority, effectively stalling investigations into political murders.
Following these allegations, President Cyril Ramaphosa established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to investigate claims of political interference, corruption, and abuse of power among senior SAPS officials, including Sibiya and Minister Mchunu. Shortly after, both Sibiya and Mchunu were placed on leave, with Mchunu also under investigation.
Sibiya has strongly denied all allegations, describing them as politically motivated. He expressed frustration over what he termed “parallel” investigations outside the official judicial commission announced by the President and urged all parties to await the formal inquiry’s outcomes with restraint.
Political and Institutional Impact:
The controversy has exposed a deep leadership crisis and governance challenges within SAPS. The situation worsened due to a temporary absence of an appointed Minister of Police, creating a leadership vacuum during the crisis. The Democratic Alliance and other political groups have demanded clarity and adherence to proper disciplinary protocols.
The allegations have also triggered public debates on the independence of police investigations, the role of political influence in law enforcement, and the need for institutional integrity to regain public trust in SAPS’s capacity to combat crime and uphold democracy.
