‘I can deal with you very quickly’: Sibiya’s voice note played in court

A voice recording in which suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya allegedly threatens a man linked to his case was played in the Randburg magistrate’s court on Friday as the state argued against his release on bail.

The man, referred to in court as Mr M, is the father of one of the alleged victims in the case.

Sibiya is facing charges including rape, human trafficking and sexual grooming of a minor. He denies the allegations.

The state played the recording to support its argument that Sibiya could interfere with witnesses if released from custody. In the recording, Sibiya accuses Mr M of betraying him after he had allegedly helped him financially.

“I took you as my little brother. I even gave you my card for you to buy groceries and I used to give you R4Ks and R10Ks of money, helping you out,” Sibiya is heard saying.

He then accuses Mr M of spreading lies about him behind his back.

Now it’s you who is betraying me and even want to get me to get arrested

—  Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya in voice recording

“I even heard that you were spreading lies about me behind my back and I have never confronted you about it because I took you as my brother and had patience for you,” he says.

Sibiya then becomes more heated, accusing Mr M of trying to have him arrested.

“Now it’s you who is betraying me and even want to get me to get arrested,” he says.

Another section of the recording played in court includes Sibiya saying: “It’s easy to deal with you. I can deal with you very quickly and easily.”

The recording also refers to Sibiya allegedly continuing to work with Mr M despite hearing that he had been speaking about him.

The state says the recording is relevant to its opposition to bail because it raises concerns about possible interference with people connected to the case.

The court also heard evidence about Sibiya allegedly contacting Mr M during the events surrounding his arrest.

Sibiya’s lawyer, Amanda Nel, challenged the investigating officer, detective Nokukhanya Ndlovu, over whether there was evidence that Sibiya had instructed others to threaten or interfere with Mr M.

Nel put it to Ndlovu that there was no evidence that what another man, referred to in court as Bishop Maumela, allegedly did was on Sibiya’s instructions.

The defence also questioned the detective about an alleged statement that there would be a “big bomb” on Monday and that the case would be withdrawn

The court heard that Maumela had taken Sibiya aside to pray for him at the scene of his arrest.

Nel suggested that Maumela could have been acting independently.

Ndlovu disputed this, saying Sibiya had mentioned Mr M’s name in Maumela’s presence before being pulled aside by him and later made a call to Mr M.

The defence also questioned the detective about an alleged statement that there would be a “big bomb” on Monday and that the case would be withdrawn.

Nel suggested this could not necessarily have come from Sibiya.

The state maintained that the circumstances around the call and the people involved raised concerns about possible interference.

A second recording, which appeared to contain a verbal telephone threat involving “Duke”, identified as Sgt Matome Rasekgokga, was also raised during proceedings.

However, the court decided to delay hearing that recording and have it played on the next court date to allow for proper interpretation of what was said.

The court postponed the matter to October 7 for further hearing of the bail application.

Sibiya will remain in custody until then.

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