Police Commissioner issues suspension notice to Deputy Shadrack Sibiya amid misconduct allegations

POLICE Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has served his deputy, Lt-General Shadrack Sibiya, with a notice of intended suspension or temporary transfer, giving him until Monday to respond.

- MANYANE MANYANE

This is despite Sibiya’s ongoing case to challenge the decision to place him on a leave of absence.

Sibiya was asked to take a leave of absence following explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Sibiya was accused of conspiring with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the political killings task team.

Sibiya launched an application at the Pretoria High Court seeking to have the decision to have him stay at home, set aside. Sibiya said Masemola’ decision to direct him to stay at home pending an investigation, which he took as part of disciplinary steps relating to misconduct allegations against him, needed to be set aside or declared unlawful because the National Commissioner did not comply with regulations.

However, Masemola argued that despite being barred from work, he would only allow Sibiya to make representations on why he should not be barred from returning to work after a preliminary investigation was completed.

In the letter issued on August 19, Masemola warned that should representation not be received by Monday, it will be accepted that Sibiya does not wish to say anything and his possible suspension or transfer will be decided without further notice.