The investigating officer in the case against suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has told the Randburg Magistrates’ Court that releasing him on bail could put the complainants at risk.
Sergeant Nokukhanya Ndlovu made the submission on the second day of Sibiya’s bail application, arguing that there was a strong likelihood that the accused could harm the complainants or interfere with the state’s case.
Sibiya was arrested last week and faces charges of rape, human trafficking and the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl. A further charge of contravening the Firearms Control Act has since been added to the charge sheet.
Ndlovu told the court that evidence suggested Sibiya could target individuals known to him, raising concerns about the safety of the complainants.
“The accused actions are beyond reasonable doubt that he is likely to harm Mr M or ZM who are well known to him and whose contact details are known to him,” Ndlovu said.
She further referred to a phone call allegedly made by Sibiya around the time she opened the current case, saying the circumstances could indicate that he had been monitoring one of the individuals or had arranged for someone else to do so on his behalf.
The investigating officer maintained that these circumstances supported the state's concerns about possible interference with the investigation and the safety of those involved.
The court is considering the arguments as part of Sibiya’s bail application.