‘She had a crush on me’: Sibiya denies grooming 16-year-old

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court has heard that the 16-year-old, whom suspended, Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya is accused of sexually grooming, allegedly told her father that she had a crush on the senior police officer.

The shocking details emerged on Tuesday during Sibiya’s bail application, in which he faces five charges, including rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking.

Sibiya was arrested last week following an investigation by the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team, which is examining matters arising from the Madlanga Commission.

The state alleges that Sibiya raped an 18-year-old teenager at a Sandton hotel on May 16,2026 after she was allegedly given alcohol and became unconscious.

He is also accused of grooming a 16-year-old girl through WhatsApp between July and August, including allegedly possessing and distributing sexual images of her.

The teenager is the daughter of an associate of Sibiya.

The state further alleges that Sibiya trafficked three people for sexual exploitation.

However, Sibiya denied the allegations against him. 

He said that he had been invited to a braai at the 16-year-old’s house by her father, who is an associate. 

Sibaya further alleged that he was requested to pick up the victim from Centurion and was given her cellphone number 

He said he picked up the teenager as requested. 

He said a week after the braai, his associate visited him. 

“On this occasion he was disturbed and told me that he received a video of his daughter masturbating from an undisclosed source.”

Sibiya said the man forwarded him a video, which he described as offensive.

“He told me in the same breath that his daughter had a crush on me and proceeded to phone her in my presence. 

Sibiya added, “He then confronted his daughter telephonically with this fact, and she confirmed that she indeed had a crush on me.”

“I felt very uncomfortable with what was taking place and asked him why he found it necessary to disseminate video material of this nature, as I considered it unlawful.”

He said subsequent to the incident, he contacted the teenager and asked her why her own father would disseminate a compromising video of herself. 

“She was surprised to learn that her father was in possession of this video and asked me to forward it to her so that she could establish the truth of what I had told her. I forwarded the video on her request.”

“The teenager confirmed that it was indeed her portrayed in the video, but she did not know how her father got hold of the material. In the same breath, she volunteered similar videos, asking me to investigate the same.”

The magistrate then interjected, asking why there was a need for the man to send the video to Sibiya.

However, the defence denied the answer to the question, saying the father is the one who is supposed to answer the question.

Meanwhile, Sibiya went on to say that he met the 18-year-old woman and others on two occasions. 

“This was on consecutive Friday and Saturday nights at the Garden Court Hotel in a hotel room.”

He also denied State allegations that he had delivered and/or recruited and/or transported persons.

“I submit that these allegations are devoid of any substance and truth, and I will show that, in fact, Mr. M was the person who had perpetrated said actions.”

“I submit that the victims are neither vulnerable nor were they sexually exploited nor did I deceive them in any manner, and I have demonstrated this supra.”

Sibiya also questioned why the CRTT was investigating the case.

“With reference to my submissions pertaining to the ultra vires actions of the State, acting under the guise of the power and jurisdiction of the CRTT, I submit that my arrest emanates from an ostensible abuse of power based on a defective warrant.”

“Prior to this meeting, the teen’s father phoned me and told me to take a break and join him at the Garden Court. 

He said on Friday evening, he arrived late at around 10.pm and found the man in the hotel room and in the company of the teenage girl, 18-year-old, and other person.

“They clearly arrived there on their own steam. I did not transport anybody.”

“When I arrived on the said Friday evening, it was apparent that both victims were intoxicated. 

Sibiya claimed he only stayed for 30 minutes and left.

“On the following Saturday, the girl’s father again invited me and told me that the ladies wanted to see me again and that they were unhappy that I had left so early the previous evening.”

“I arrived at the Garden Court at around 19:00 and found all of them again in the same hotel room. The ladies said they were hungry and wanted food.”

He said he suggested that they go eat at the Grand restaurant.

“I also suggested that they dress appropriately as they were wearing very revealing clothing.”

However, the State previously said Sibiya instructed the girls to change their clothing and told them that he would take them to a classy place, which was at that stage unknown to the girls.

Sibiya, however, said, “By agreement we travelled in two vehicles, to have supper at the Grand.”

He pleaded that he should be released on bail, and that he can afford bail of R20,000.

“I respectfully submit that should I be released on bail, my release will not induce a scene of shock or outrage and will not disturb the public order or undermine the public peace or security. I further submit that my safety will not be jeopardized by being released on bail.

He claimed that the interests of justice do not require his incarceration.

“I humbly request that the Court weigh my personal interests against the interest of justice, as required by law.”

Sibiya claimed his arrest was planned. 

“I submit that my arrest was a well-orchestrated, diabolical plan aimed at incarcerating me based on false and trumped-up allegations.”

Meanwhile, the State prosecutor Velile Makhasana requested for a postponement to allow the State to prepare after receiving documents from the defence on Tuesday and to cross-examine Advocate Rashad Moosa.

Sibiya’s bail application was postponed to Thursday.

He remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Services.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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