SAPS says Sibiya’s resignation is a ‘dishonorable discharge’

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it regards Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya ‘s resignation as a ‘dishonorable discharge’ because disciplinary hearings were already under way.

Sibiya’s legal representative tendered his resignation after the commencement of his disciplinary proceedings.

Sibiya faces multiple charges, including the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl, rape, human trafficking and contravention of the firearms control act.

Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane was commenting while at the national launch of Safer Festive Season Operational Plan at KaBokweni in Mpumalanga. #sapsHQ [SAPS CONFIRMS LIEUTENANT GENERAL SHADRACK SIBIYA NO LONGER AN EMPLOYEE OF SAPS] The #SAPS confirms that Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya is no longer an employee of the Service with effect from Monday, 12 October 2026.

The disciplinary hearing against Lieutenant General Sibiya sat this morning, during which his legal representative tendered his resignation immediately after the disciplinary proceedings had commenced.

As the former senior officer had an ongoing disciplinary case against him at the time of his resignation, his departure from the Service is therefore regarded as a dishonourable discharge.

The SAPS confirms that Lieutenant General Sibiya’s employment with the Service has been terminated with immediate effect.

ME — SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) October 12, 2026 Dimpane says Sibaya’s lawyers tendered his resignation with immediate effect.

“It then means the SAPS is discharging General Sibiya and we regard this discharge as dishonorable discharge.

The disciplinary process could not go on.

He resigned immediately.

If he resigns immediately, he is no longer our member therefore we are unable to proceed.

So the disciplinary processes came to an end because he is no longer our members because of his resignation.” RELATED VIDEO | Sibiya resigns from SAPS with immediate effect: Heidi Giokos updates