South Africa's deputy police chief resigns after being charged with sexual offences
Shadrack Sibiya had denied grooming a 16-year-old and raping an 18-year-old.
South Africa’s deputy police chief has stepped down three weeks after being charged with sexual offences.
A lawyer for Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya handed in his resignation letter during his disciplinary hearing on Monday, according to a police spokesperson.
The accusations against him include claims that he sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl and raped an 18-year-old woman. He is also facing a trafficking charge.
Sibiya has rejected all the allegations. He says he did have sex with the 18-year-old, but insists it was consensual.
He has remained in custody since his arrest three weeks ago, after his bail application was refused.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said in a post on X that his exit from the police service was treated as a dishonourable discharge.
The case comes while the police service is under scrutiny at a major public inquiry into allegations of corruption and collusion with criminals.
The inquiry, called the Madlanga Commission, started in September 2025 and has heard claims that Sibiya received a gift of 20 impalas from an alleged criminal kingpin in return for a police contract.
He denied that allegation.