Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, says he feels “under siege” and “betrayed” by his colleagues after law enforcement raided his Centurion home on Thursday.
Elite police units, including the National Intervention Unit, Special Task Force, and Crime Intelligence, descended on Sibiya’s property, seizing several electronic devices.
The search and seizure operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into alleged links between senior police officials and criminal cartels operating in Gauteng.
Despite speculation of his arrest, police confirmed that Sibiya was not taken into custody. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said:
“As SAPS, we are not aware of any person who has been arrested thus far, and that includes Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.”
The warrant reportedly cites offences including defeating the ends of justice, money laundering, and corruption. Sibiya’s legal team, led by attorney Ian Levitt, plans to challenge the legality of the raid.
“We will fully investigate what has happened today,” Levitt told journalists.
“We were not served with the affidavit that gave rise to the warrant, and we will demand to see it in court.”
‘I Feel Like Joseph Thrown Into a Pit by His Brothers’
Speaking to journalists after the raid, a visibly emotional Sibiya said he felt betrayed by colleagues, including National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola.
“I am not angry, I am hurt. I feel like Joseph, whose brothers threw him into the pit and sold him. For my colleagues to turn on me the way they did that is beyond me. The last time I was with the national commissioner, we were fine. He has been to my house many times.”
Sibiya also accused law enforcement of using intimidation tactics ahead of his upcoming appearances before the Madlanga Commission, Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on SAPS, and an internal disciplinary hearing.
“I am under pressure, I am under siege. I’ve been called a criminal in daylight in front of all South Africans. I am waiting to have my day at the Commission. I expect to be pushed out, that’s what this whole thing is about.”
‘They Must Fire Me – I Will Not Resign’
Sibiya has vowed not to step down despite mounting pressure. “I know they want to push me out. I will never resign; they must fire me,” he declared.
He further alleged that he has been under surveillance, saying helicopters hovered near his home in recent days.
“If they are coming to arrest me, let them not come at 3 o’clock in the morning so that someone can shoot and kill me and say I was reaching for a gun. Let it be done in a fair way. There’s been helicopter surveillance left, right and centre, this is abuse of power.”
Ongoing Police Infighting
The raid on Sibiya’s home follows months of internal tension within the police service, triggered by allegations from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
In July, Mkhwanazi publicly accused Sibiya of protecting criminal cartels and colluding with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the KZN Political Killings Task Team, a claim Sibiya has strongly denied.
Sibiya was subsequently suspended, and his name has surfaced repeatedly before both the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, which is probing corruption and infiltration within the SAPS.
While Sibiya maintains his innocence, Mkhwanazi told MPs this week that Sibiya’s arrest was imminent, a claim that appears to have partly materialised with Thursday’s search operation.
Masemola: ‘There Is No Policing Crisis’
As the raid unfolded, National Commissioner Fannie Masemola was testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, insisting that the SAPS was not in crisis despite ongoing controversies.
“Policing is under pressure, and unfortunately, society looks for everything from the police,” Masemola said. “We’re trying our best with what we have. Our resources are not in abundance.”
Masemola’s comments came amid growing public concern about corruption, leadership battles, and allegations of political interference within the SAPS.
Meanwhile, Sibiya is expected to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on SAPS next week, where he says he will “defend his reputation no matter what comes his way.”
“I’ve been called a criminal, but I will have my day to clear my name,” he said.
LIVE | Authorities are at the home of suspended National Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya for a media briefing. He says, “I was under the impression that an arrest would happen. This is abuse of power. I know they want to push me out. I will not resign; they must fire… pic.twitter.com/o1P2oJgTkY
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 9, 2025
National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola speaks to journalists after an appearance at the ad hoc inquiry into claims made by KZN police boss Lt Gen Mkhwanazi.
He speaks about the raids at the deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya’s home. @dailymaverick pic.twitter.com/zzCKjjZ3WA
— Suné Payne 🇿🇦 (@SunePayne) October 9, 2025
