The disciplinary fight around suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya took two turns on Monday, 5 October 2026. His internal hearing was postponed, and his urgent bid to stop it completely was heard in the Labour Court. This guide keeps the facts simple and easy to follow.
What happened on Monday
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that the disciplinary hearing of shadrack sibiya sat on Monday. It did not run for long. Sibiya asked for more time to speak to his legal team, and the request was granted.
The hearing will now continue on Monday, 12 October. SAPS stressed that the process has been delayed, not stopped.
The hearing deals with allegations of corruption and misconduct that came out during the Madlanga Commission. That commission looked into claims of criminality, corruption and interference inside the police service. It later recommended that disciplinary action be taken against Sibiya.
The Labour Court application
Sibiya has also gone to the Labour Court with an urgent application. His aim is to have the disciplinary hearing halted completely.
The application was heard on the same day as the hearing, but it was not finished. The court adjourned the matter. The reason is easy to understand. Both sides must first file their papers.
- SAPS must file its opposing papers.
- Sibiya must then file his replying affidavit.
Only after that can the court hear the matter properly.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe explained the position. She said the matter before the court is sub judice. This means it is still before the court, so SAPS will not comment on the merits.
Two separate processes running together
Many people find this story confusing, so a simple breakdown helps.
The disciplinary hearing is an internal SAPS process. It asks whether an employee broke the rules of the service. The Labour Court case is different. There, Sibiya is asking a court to stop the internal hearing.
SAPS has said these two matters are separate. They are running at the same time. Because the court case has not been decided, the hearing has not been cancelled. The postponement only gives Sibiya more time with his lawyers.
Who is shadrack sibiya?
Sibiya is a senior police leader. He was placed on suspension in September 2025. That suspension came after claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that Sibiya tried to disband the task team looking into political killings in the province.
At the Madlanga Commission, Sibiya was also linked to claims about alleged underworld figures, including Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Evidence heard by the commission included WhatsApp messages. Sibiya has denied the allegations made against him.
It is important to remember that these are allegations. The disciplinary process exists to test them, and no final finding has been made.
Where the hearing is being held
Sibiya is currently in custody. This affects how the hearing works.
He was served with the notice for the hearing while in the holding cells of the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. SAPS said it would work with the Department of Correctional Services so the hearing could take place at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where he is being held.
Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers was appointed as the presiding officer. He will run the hearing and make decisions on procedure.
The separate criminal case
The disciplinary matter must not be mixed up with Sibiya’s criminal case. These are two different tracks.
Sibiya was arrested on 21 September 2026. He appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on charges that include rape, human trafficking and sexual grooming of a child. Sibiya denies all of these charges.
The criminal case is not part of the Madlanga related disciplinary hearing. SAPS has made clear that the hearing is about corruption allegations from the commission. The criminal matter is handled in the courts. His bail application was before the Randburg court at the time of reporting.
Why the postponement matters
At first glance, a postponement sounds like a small step. In reality, it matters for a few simple reasons.
It protects fairness. Anyone facing a serious hearing has the right to prepare with a lawyer. Sibiya argued that he needed more time, and the request was granted.
It keeps the process alive. SAPS says the hearing is still on. It will resume on 12 October unless the Labour Court says otherwise.
It buys time for the court case. Because both parties still have papers to file, the Labour Court has not yet ruled on whether the hearing can go ahead. A ruling on Sibiya’s application could change what happens next.
Reports also say a further disciplinary date has been set for 2 November and 6 November. Dates in cases like this can shift easily, so readers should watch for official updates.
What happens next
Here is a simple look at the road ahead:
- 12 October: The disciplinary hearing is set to resume.
- Labour Court: SAPS files its opposing papers, and Sibiya files his reply. The court will then set the matter down for a proper hearing.
- Bail and criminal proceedings: These continue in the Randburg court, separate from the internal process.
- Later dates: Further hearing dates have been reported for early November.
If the Labour Court grants Sibiya’s application, the hearing could be stopped. If it refuses, the hearing will carry on. Either way, the outcome will be closely watched, because it involves one of the most senior officers in the police service.
Why this story matters to South Africans
Public trust in the police is already under pressure. The Madlanga Commission was set up because of serious claims about corruption and criminal influence inside law enforcement. How SAPS handles senior officers named in those claims will shape how the public sees the service.
For ordinary South Africans, the story is not only about one man. It is about whether the system can deal with serious allegations in a fair and open way. A proper process protects the accused, and it also protects the public.
Readers who want official information on how the police service works can visit the South African Police Service website. For general information on how courts and legal processes work, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is a reliable place to start.
The bottom line
The latest news on shadrack sibiya is easy to sum up. His disciplinary hearing was postponed to 12 October so he can consult his lawyers. His urgent Labour Court application to stop the hearing has been adjourned until both sides file their papers. SAPS says the two matters are separate and that the hearing has not been halted.
Sibiya denies the allegations against him. Until the hearing and the courts have done their work, no final conclusions have been reached. We will keep following the story as new dates and rulings come in.
About the Author
