By Priya Ranchod
South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detention, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya is no longer employed by the police following his resignation on Monday, 12 October 2026, as his disciplinary hearing got under way.
Sibiya was suspended with immediate effect on 12 September 2025 by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola over allegations of misconduct linked to the handling of case dockets belonging to the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team. The allegations included the alleged unauthorised withdrawal of case dockets from the unit. Sibiya has denied wrongdoing.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Sibiya’s legal representative tendered his resignation shortly after the disciplinary proceedings commenced.
“The disciplinary hearing against Lieutenant General Sibiya sat this morning, during which his legal representative tendered his resignation immediately after the disciplinary proceedings had commenced,” Mathe said.
She explained that because Sibiya had an ongoing disciplinary case against him at the time of his resignation, his departure from the Service would be regarded as a dishonourable discharge.
Mathe confirmed that his employment with the SAPS had been terminated with immediate effect.
Sibiya’s departure comes amid scrutiny surrounding allegations examined by the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, including questions about his alleged dealings with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and the handling of police investigations.
Separately, Sibiya has faced criminal charges relating to allegations of rape, grooming and human trafficking. He has denied the allegations. These criminal proceedings are distinct from the SAPS disciplinary case.
His resignation brings his police career to an end while disciplinary proceedings were still pending, with the SAPS classifying his departure as a dishonourable discharge.