THE bail hearing for former Police Deputy Commissioner Shadrack has been postponed to November 24.
On Tuesday morning, Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe, in her ruling at the Randburg Magistrate Court, stated that Sibiya had failed to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances required for his release on bail and that the interests of justice did not favour his release.
The concern is Sibiya could interfere with witnesses if granted bail and intimidation.
The former Police Commissioner who resigned abruptly, faces serious charges such as rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking.
Mkhasibe ruled that the human trafficking charge against Sibiya remains in place, with the issue to be dealt with by the trial court.
She also raised concerns about Sibiya’s relationship with Mr M, who allegedly has three identity documents.
During the bail hearing, Sibiya’s legal team described Mr M as a fraudster to undermine his credibility. Mr M is also a former driver and bodyguard to Sibiya.
“The applicant believes that Mr M is falsely implicating him. He portrayed Mr M as a fraudster with three different identification cards. This begs the question, why would a deputy national commissioner associate himself with a person of such calibre?” Mkhasibe said.
The court further rejected claims that Mr M had fabricated the sexual offence allegations to damage Sibiya’s reputation.
“To my mind, Mr M did not falsely implicate the applicant. He reported the allegations by his daughter supported by objective evidence in the form of messages exchanged between the applicant and Mr M’s 16-year-old daughter,” Mkhasibe said.
NPA has confirmed it will investigate issues against Mr M.
Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has returned to work and promises to work hard in re-establishing the badly damaged and reputation of SAPS.
He also had interaction with all provincial commissioners in Pretoria, telling that with Local Elections looming on November 4, they will have to intensify their presence throughout the country.
All charges he faced were null and void.
Image provided (‘If only the earth could just swallow me’. Former Police Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya to remain in custody as bail hearing postponed for November 24.)
