Author: Silver Sibiya
Former Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya will remain behind bars after the Randburg Magistrate’s Court refused his bail application. Sibiya faces charges including rape, multiple counts of sexual grooming, human trafficking and firearm-related offences. Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe said the proposed bail conditions would be difficult to monitor, particularly given concerns about Sibiya’s access to a cellphone. Explaining the decision, Mkhasibe said Sibiya had allegedly destroyed evidence and threatened a witness and the witness’s family. “He destroyed evidence, threatened the witness. I say witnesses because when he threatened to wipe Mr M’s family, he included the child victim,” she said.…
Police have arrested 92 suspected illegal miners and seized firearms, ammunition, explosives and mining equipment during a multidisciplinary operation in West Village, Krugersdorp, on Monday. The arrests were made during Operation Prosper/Karabo, an ongoing law enforcement intervention targeting illegal mining, gangsterism and related criminal activities across Gauteng. The operation began on Monday morning, with members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) cordoning off the area before police and Department of Home Affairs officials moved in to conduct targeted enforcement operations. Police said two firearms and ammunition were recovered during the operation. Authorities also seized illegal mining equipment, including…
Former President Thabo Mbeki has rejected allegations that his administration interfered with the prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, telling the Commission of Inquiry into Stopped TRC Investigations and/or Prosecutions that claims linking him to an alleged agreement to halt prosecutions are based on hearsay. Mbeki was responding to questions from evidence leader Advocate Ngwako Maenetje SC during his testimony before the commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe in Johannesburg on Monday. Reading from his statement, Mbeki addressed evidence presented by advocate Ackermann, who testified about an alleged agreement involving former senior members of the African National Congress (ANC)…
Al Jama-ah Johannesburg mayoral candidate Ashley Mama says the party is targeting 10 additional seats in the City of Johannesburg ahead of the November 4 local government elections. Mama was speaking to Newsnote on the sidelines of the party’s manifesto launch in Orlando East, Soweto. The party currently holds three seats in the metro, and Mama says he hopes to increase its representation. “Al Jama-ah had three seats before the Ashley Mama effect entered. I’m on the ground aiming. I don’t know the potential of what we can have, but we’re aiming for 10 seats,” he said. Mama added that…
With 19 days before the local government elections on November 4, the African National Congress (ANC) is intensifying its campaign across four provinces through door-to-door voter contact, community meetings and public engagements. The party’s national leadership will campaign across the Western Cape, Free State, North West and Limpopo from Saturday, October 17, to Sunday, October 18, as it seeks to strengthen its support ahead of the polls. ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa, National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane, Second Deputy Secretary-General Maropene Ramokgopa and Treasurer-General Gwen Ramokgopa will lead the campaign activities. Notably, ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile…
Four suspects aged between 21 and 25 have been arrested after Gauteng Organised Crime Investigations uncovered a suspected Mandrax laboratory in Meadowlands, Zone 10, Soweto. Police remained at the scene on Friday as investigations continued. Neighbours, who asked not to be identified, told Newsnote that the landlords’ children were allegedly operating the suspected drug laboratory at the property. They claimed the operation had been running for some time. Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed the arrests, saying the suspects were allegedly found manufacturing Mandrax tablets. Muridili said police could not yet confirm the quantity of drugs recovered or their…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, paving the way for him to resume his duties on Monday. The Presidency announced the decision on Friday, following the withdrawal of criminal charges against Masemola in September. Masemola was placed on precautionary suspension in April 2026 after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court to face charges relating to the alleged contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). According to the Presidency, the National Director of Public Prosecutions instructed on 15 September that the charges against Masemola be withdrawn. The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court formally…
Former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya will remain in custody after the Randburg Magistrates’ Court postponed judgment on his bail application to Tuesday, 20 October. Sibiya appeared in court on Thursday, where Magistrate Hlengiwe Mkhabisi said she needed more time to consider the extensive documentation submitted during the proceedings. “I’m not going to be in a position to deliver my judgment today. I can’t even do it tomorrow, unfortunately,” Mkhabisi told the court. The magistrate confirmed that judgment would be delivered on Tuesday at 8am. Sibiya’s bail application has been heard since September, with the state and defence presenting…
Former President Jacob Zuma’s highly anticipated testimony before the TRC Cases Inquiry has been deferred to an unconfirmed date. The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations Regarding Efforts or Attempts to Stop the Investigation or Prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission Cases confirmed the postponement following an agreement reached between the commission and Zuma’s legal representatives. Zuma was originally scheduled to take the stand on Thursday, 22 October 2026. While Zuma’s appearance hangs in the air, the commission confirmed that proceedings will continue as planned for other high-profile witnesses. Former President Thabo Mbeki is still scheduled to give his testimony…
The rape case against former deputy national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has been postponed to Thursday, with the state expected to continue its arguments against his release on bail. The 59-year-old is facing charges including rape, sexual grooming of a minor, human trafficking, and the unlawful storage of firearms and ammunition. During Wednesday’s proceedings at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court, state prosecutor Advocate Velile Makhasana questioned how Sibiya could believe that a 16-year-old girl was attracted to him. “A 16-year-old telling their father that, ‘I have a crush on a 59-year-old’,” Makhasana stated. “It doesn’t make sense. As I said,…