Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has challenged the State’s account of how sexually explicit material involving a 16-year-old came to be found on his mobile phone, as his bail application continued at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
Sibiya is facing charges of rape, sexual grooming of a minor and human trafficking, which he denies.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, his lawyer, Estelle Killian, read an affidavit in which Sibiya provided his explanation for possessing the video.
According to Sibiya, the video was allegedly sent to him by the teenager’s father, who was reportedly distressed after receiving it and wanted to confide in him.
Sibiya claims the father also told him that his 16-year-old daughter had a crush on him. He said he subsequently confronted the teenager about the matter through WhatsApp.
The State, however, alleges that Sibiya sexually groomed the teenager, who is the daughter of a close associate, and exchanged explicit material with her via WhatsApp.
Prosecutors further allege that Sibiya sent the teenager a sexually explicit video involving her.
Sibiya maintains that he never had a sexual relationship with the girl and disputes the State’s allegations.
He was arrested last week at a Sandton strip club following an investigation into the allegations.
The State has opposed his release on bail, citing concerns including the potential intimidation of witnesses and an alleged risk of escape.
Sibiya will remain in custody while the bail proceedings are adjourned until Thursday.
The allegations against him have not been tested or proven in court. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty.