By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
*This article contains details that readers may find upsetting.
The two victims at the heart of the case against former SAPS Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya have told the Randburg Magistrate’s Court that they are living in terror.
This comes as Sibiya’s bail application rolled over to Thursday, 15 October 2026.
Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe had directed the state to obtain affidavits from the complainants to assist the court in considering Sibiya’s bail application.
State prosecutor advocate Velile Makasana read victim impact statements from both complainants, outlining their fears if Sibiya is released on bail.
Both victims described the emotional toll of the case and raised concerns about what could happen if Sibiya were to be released from custody.
The 16-year-old complainant, identified as ZM, told the court that she was under witness protection and had met with the investigating officer, Sergeant Nokukhanya Ndlovu, on Tuesday, 13 October.
According to her statement, the meeting focused on her feelings about the possibility of Sibiya being granted bail.
She expressed concern that her family could face further danger, saying she would hold herself responsible if anything happened to them because she had reported the matter.
The teenager is the daughter of Sibiya’s former bodyguard and driver, referred to in court as Mr M.
The second complainant, an 18-year-old identified as MC, also expressed fears for her life should Sibiya be released from custody.
In her affidavit, MC stated that she had struggled with suicidal thoughts since the alleged rape incident, which reportedly took place on 16 May 2026.
“I have also told Sergeant Ndlovu that I wouldn’t wait for any future torture should he be released on bail because something worse than what he had done could happen.”
“He will therefore find me dead already as I have already suffered enough.”
Sibiya faces charges of rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking. He is also accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl.
During the closing arguments, the state has opposed his release, citing concerns about the complainant’s safety and the risk of interference with witnesses.
Defence lawyer Estelle Killian SC, has challenged the state’s allegations and the conclusions it draws from the evidence.
The defence maintained there are no grounds to justify his continued detention.
Killian told the court that the lengthy bail hearing, together with disciplinary proceedings that continued until Monday, had placed considerable strain on Sibiya’s finances.
“The lengthy bail hearing alone, disciplinary hearings, which have now fallen out of the picture… have drained the applicant financially, “Killian said.
The bail application, now in its third week, has been further complicated by disciplinary proceedings that continued until Monday, according to the defence.
Sibiya resigned from the service before his disciplinary hearing could commence, and the court heard that he would receive his pension benefits.
The state maintains that the allegations and concerns about witness safety weigh against Sibiya’s release.
Meanwhile Vusimusi ‘Cat’ Matlala provisionally abandons his bail application at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
He faces charges related to a fraudulent lease agreement for a luxury property in Waterkloof Heights alongside his wife Tsakani and two co-accused.