By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy national police commissioner for crime detection Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect.
Sibiya has been charged with four counts of misconduct relating to the removal of dockets from the KZN task team.
He was placed on a leave of absence in July, following a series of explosive allegations made by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Among Mkhwanazi’s allegations was that at the end of last year, Police minister Senzo Mchunu sent out a directive to Sibiya, to disband the Political Killings Task Team, which was created six years earlier.
Both Sibiya and Mchunu have denied the accusations of wrongdoing against them.
Sibiya turned to court for an urgent order to return to work after being forced to stay at home, pending an investigation and to interdict his boss Fannie Masemola from instituting a process parallel to the judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system established by President Cyril Ramaphosa and chaired by retiring Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
Sibiya has asked the court for an order declaring that Masemola’s decision to direct him to “stay at home, pending an investigation” unlawful and for it to be set aside.
Alternatively, Sibiya was seeking an order stating that his stay at home is suspended pending the outcome of the commission.
But his case was dismissed.
In its judgement last week, the court said Sibiya did not challenge any or “state conduct on constitutional grounds.
According to City Press, Masemola’s suspension notice details that Sibiya contravened multiple sections of the Saps discipline regulations, including charges of defeating or attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
“You committed acts of misconduct which detrimentally affect the image of the Saps or bring the Saps into disrepute, and involve an element of dishonesty by acting contrary to the instructions of the national commissioner, “Masemola said.
As part of his suspension conditions, Sibiya has been ordered to immediately hand in his appointment certificate, access card and state equipment (including firearm, laptop and cellphone).
A commission of inquiry has been established to probe Mkhwanazi’s claims, including Sibiya’s role and the suspended minister’s alleged interference. The hearings will commence on the 17th of September 2025.