South Africa's police deputy chief resigns amid corruption and sexual offence allegations

Shadrack Sibiya, who had been suspended since September of the previous year, resigned from his role as deputy head of the South African Police just as a disciplinary hearing was set to begin. Police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said the resignation, submitted by his lawyers, results in a dishonourable discharge because the disciplinary case was still active. Sibiya is currently incarcerated after his arrest on allegations of rape and grooming of a minor, and a court has postponed his bail request to October 13.

He is also a witness before a judicial commission of inquiry, chaired by retired judge Mbuyiseni Madlanga, which is probing extensive corruption within the police and possible ties to criminal networks. During the commission, Sibiya faced accusations of accepting large sums of cash and gifts from alleged criminals, claims he denied. The resignation ends his tenure but does not resolve the ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.