Top cop fights ‘unlawful suspension’ by commissioner

DEPUTY National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya has approached the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to challenge his suspension, alleging that Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola admitted to breaching proper procedures when he suspended him.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

Sibiya's suspension followed explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused him of stealing and concealing crucial murder case dockets.

Mkhwanazi also alleged that Sibiya colluded with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to dismantle the task team investigating political killings.

In his replying affidavit in the high court, Sibiya stated that Masemola breached police disciplinary regulations by instructing him to “stay at home” during the investigation without following proper procedures.

Sibiya argues that Masemola should have allowed him to respond to the allegations before suspending him.

“In his answering affidavit, the commissioner conceded he did not comply with, or even have recourse to, the discipline regulations when he made the decision to instruct me to stay at home,” he said.