General Shadrack Sibiya To Challenge His Allegedly Unlawful Suspension

• The South African Police Service's suspended Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya is taking the police force on
• National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola placed him on special leave after KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi implicated him in a criminal syndicate
• South Africans were not impressed with his decision to challenge his suspension, and many slammed his intended course of action

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

GAUTENG — The South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya is challenging his suspension after National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola suspended him on 15 July 2025.

According to eNCA, Sibiya's team said that his suspension was riddled with irregularities and is therefore unlawful. The team's application will be heard on 26 August, and they could target costs against Masemola. His team is demanding that his suspension be withdrawn immediately.

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Why was Sibiya suspended?

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held a press briefing on 6 July 2025, where he accused Sibiya of colluding with Senzo Mchunu to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team. He also accused Sibiya and Mchunu, who were also placed on special leave, of being part of a drug syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system.

How did Sibiya respond?

Mchunu and Sibiya responded to Mkhwanazi's allegations. Sibiya flatly denied the allegations and accused Mkhwanazi of acting unprofessionally. He also accused him of behaving like a thug. Mchunu also denied the allegations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa established a Commission of Inquiry to determine the veracity of Mkhwanazi's allegations. Parliament also established an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the allegations Mkhwanazi made.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on X were not impressed with Sibiya's decision to challenge his suspension.

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Kamo Ramoshebi said:

"So Sibiya is fighting with his boss to force him to make him work."

Rhulani Venus Rikhotso asked:

"What's his problem, because he is getting a full salary? One will be tempted to say that he wants to tamper with evidence."

Phillimon Nakedi Manamela said:

"There is no unlawful suspension. He is worried about the docket."

Nduku Buthelezisaid:

"Unlawful suspension, perhaps, but lawful arrests are now made in his absence."

Francois Mostert said:

"He needs to pay for it himself. The state cannot foot the bill."

Cedric Rachochi said:

"He chowed businessmen's monies. Now they need him to call the shots, and he can't."

Nota Baloyi points out disturbing details about Sibiya

In a related article, Briefly News reported that music executive Nota Baloyi pointed out some details about Sibiya's past, which caused a stir online.

Baloyi said that Sibiya was a cop for 37 years, which meant that he became a police officer in 1988. He concluded that this meant that Sibiya enforced the laws of apartheid.

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"Many of them in the SAPS were hired as impimpi for the Pretoria special branch," a netizen commented.

Source: Briefly News