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Shadrack Sibiya faces fresh criminal network allegations on top of five charges including rape, sexual grooming and human trafficking
Businessman Imran Bat has accused suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya of being linked to an alleged criminal network, saying he is consulting the Madlanga Commission about giving evidence against the senior police officer.
Bat’s claims come as Sibiya faces renewed scrutiny following his arrest on sexual offence and human-trafficking charges, while allegations surrounding his conduct as a senior police officer remain under investigation.
The allegations made by Bat have not been tested in court, and Sibiya has previously denied allegations of corruption and improper relationships with alleged criminal figures.
Bat wants to testify before Madlanga Commission
Bat, who attended Sibiya’s appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 September, said he was preparing to approach the Madlanga Commission with information about Sibiya and people he alleges are connected to him.
Bat said he wanted to expose what he described as criminal networks allegedly operating around Sibiya.
“I will expose the gangs Sibiya is working with such as the Chinese and other thugs, including other Generals involved,” Bat was quoted as saying.
Bat has indicated that he is consulting about appearing before the commission and giving evidence.
Sibiya’s earlier connection to Bat
Bat is not a new name in the Sibiya matter.
While giving evidence before the Madlanga Commission in February, Sibiya himself referred to Bat when discussing a fraud case that had previously been opened against him.
Sibiya told the commission that the 2015 fraud case stemmed from allegations made by Bat, whom he described as a Pakistani national he had investigated in relation to alleged human trafficking.
The earlier dispute is significant because it establishes that Bat and Sibiya had crossed paths before the current allegations emerged.
Sibiya has disputed the claims made against him and has suggested that some of the allegations are connected to internal conflicts within the South African Police Service.
What the Madlanga Commission has heard about Sibiya
Sibiya’s wider controversy stems from allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July 2025.
The allegations included claims that Sibiya interfered with sensitive investigations and was involved in the decision to disband the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team.
The commission also examined the removal of 121 case dockets from the task team and allegations concerning Sibiya’s relationship with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and other individuals linked in testimony to organised crime.
Sibiya denied corruption and denied receiving benefits from Matlala. He also disputed allegations that he deliberately acted to protect criminal interests.
During his evidence, however, Sibiya acknowledged that the political killings task team was effectively disbanded without its work first being subjected to a formal review.
Commission recommends criminal investigation
The matter moved beyond allegations in August when President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the Madlanga Commission had recommended disciplinary proceedings and immediate criminal investigations into Sibiya.
The recommendation was contained in the commission’s second interim report, submitted to Ramaphosa on 29 May 2026.
The commission recommended that criminal conduct allegedly involving Sibiya be investigated and that criminal proceedings be instituted if sufficient evidence is found. The recommendation also covered Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, Brown Mogotsi and an individual identified as Witness G.
The commission’s final report is expected to be submitted on 16 November 2026.
New criminal case adds to pressure on Sibiya
Sibiya’s legal troubles have since expanded beyond the allegations examined by the Madlanga Commission.
He was arrested on Monday, 21 September, by members of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team and appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court the following day.
He faces five charges, including rape, sexual grooming and trafficking in persons. According to the charge sheet reported by Business Day, the allegations include the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman in May 2026 and the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August.
The case was postponed to 29 September for a possible bail application, with Sibiya remaining in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. The state is opposing bail.
The allegations remain before the courts and Sibiya has not been convicted of the offences.
Bat’s allegations remain to be tested
Bat’s latest allegations against Sibiya are therefore unfolding against the backdrop of several separate investigations and proceedings.
The businessman says he wants an opportunity to give evidence to the Madlanga Commission and provide information about people he alleges are connected to Sibiya.
For now, those claims remain allegations. The commission’s recommendations for further investigation are not findings of criminal guilt, while Sibiya remains entitled to the presumption of innocence in the criminal matters before the courts.
The Madlanga Commission has said its final report will provide its conclusions after considering the evidence placed before it.
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
