Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has declared that he will not be forced out of office following a dramatic 3am police raid at his Centurion home on Thursday morning.
“I know they want to push me out; I will never resign. They must fire me,” Sibiya told reporters shortly after the raid.
The raid, which began in the early hours of the morning, saw officers search and seize multiple electronic devices from Sibiya’s residence. Speaking candidly, Sibiya said he had expected the raid since 2024, alleging that he has been under constant surveillance and describing the operation as “an abuse of power.”
‘I’m Under Siege’ — Sibiya Speaks of Intimidation and Family Trauma
Sibiya, who remains under suspension, expressed deep concern for his family’s wellbeing, saying the early-morning search left his children shaken.
“I wish my colleagues could at least think of my kids and my family. They haven’t done anything wrong to be traumatised like this,” he said.
Despite feeling “under siege,” Sibiya acknowledged that the officers who conducted the raid were “decent and cooperative,” adding that he had cooperated fully.
“I gave them what they needed. I gave them a laptop and a few cellphones. There is nothing on them,” he said, confirming that three or four electronic devices were confiscated.
Timing of the Raid Raises Questions
The timing of the raid has raised eyebrows, coming just days before Sibiya is scheduled to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission. Sibiya suggested that the operation was deliberately timed to unsettle him ahead of his testimony.
“The whole exercise is to confuse me and keep me under pressure. I am under siege, and my life, as well as that of my family, is in danger. Cars with false registration numbers are driving past my house,” he alleged.
Sibiya said he found it “highly suspicious” that his devices were confiscated right before his appearance, adding that he feels singled out and publicly targeted.
Background: Allegations of a Police Syndicate
Sibiya’s troubles have intensified in recent weeks after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations implicating him, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and others in what he described as a syndicate obstructing police operations nationwide.
Sibiya has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he is being targeted for political reasons.
Calls for Transparency from Rise Mzansi
In the wake of the raid, Rise Mzansi has called on authorities to provide a clear explanation to prevent speculation and restore public confidence.
“We note the police raid at the residence of suspended Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya. At this stage, there is no official communication from the police on what’s behind the raid,” the party said in a statement.
“It is important for the National Commissioner to give official reasons for the raid so that there are no speculations.”
What Happens Next
Sibiya is expected to appear before the Ad Hoc Committee on Monday, where he will likely address both the raid and the allegations against him. His testimony comes at a time when internal divisions within SAPS leadership are increasingly being aired in public — exposing the tensions that continue to grip South Africa’s policing ranks.
For now, Sibiya stands firm in his defiance: “I will never resign — they must fire me.”
