South Africa’s deputy police chief resigns while facing serious criminal charge

A lawyer representing the 59-year-old submitted his resignation letter at a disciplinary hearing on Monday, according to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

Mathe said Sibiya’s departure would be treated as a dishonourable discharge because he resigned while still facing disciplinary proceedings.

Sibiya, who has been in custody since his arrest three weeks ago, denies the allegations that he sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl and raped an 18-year-old woman. He acknowledges having sex with the 18-year-old but maintains that it was consensual. He also faces a human trafficking charge.

Beyond the criminal charges, Sibiya has been accused of having links to organised crime figures, allegations that led to his suspension last year. He denies any wrongdoing.

The allegations emerged during the Madlanga Commission, a major public inquiry into alleged police corruption and collusion with criminal networks. Sibiya was accused of interfering with investigations into political killings in KwaZulu-Natal and allegedly receiving cash and 20 impalas from a suspected criminal kingpin in exchange for a police contract. He denied the claims.

The commission has drawn widespread attention in South Africa, uncovering allegations of links between police officers and organised crime figures.

President Cyril Ramaphosa established the inquiry after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi publicly accused then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of working with criminal gangs. Mchunu denies the allegations and has also been suspended.