An 18-year-old woman who has accused former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of rape has told the court that she may end her life if he is allowed out on bail.
Sibiya faces several charges, including the alleged rape of the teenager, human trafficking and the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl.
On Tuesday, the court directed investigating officer Sergeant Nokukhanya Ndlovu to obtain affidavits from the two complainants outlining their positions on Sibiya’s possible release on bail.
The court heard both statements on Wednesday morning as proceedings in his bail application resumed.
In her affidavit, the 18-year-old, referred to as “MC” in court documents to conceal her identity, said she was against Sibiya’s release because she continued to live in fear and had become suicidal.
“I was extremely shocked by this question because day in and day out, I’m living under constant fear to the extent of being suicidal,” she said.
She told the court that she had warned Ndlovu that she might not survive if Sibiya was released and subjected her to further suffering.
“I have also told Sgt Ndlovu that I think I wouldn’t wait for any future torture should he be released on bail because something worse than what he had done could happen. He will therefore find me dead already, as I’ve already suffered enough,” she said.
MC said the incident had also disrupted her family’s lives, with relatives having to make changes to their routines to improve their safety.
She said those close to her were aware of the emotional toll she continued to endure following the alleged assault.
“My friends and family know how I suffer as a result of the incident that I did not invite. I worry about their safety as much as I do with mine, as their lifestyles have changed to accommodate the security measures,” she said.
The complainant further revealed that she had confided in a close friend about her fears through WhatsApp messages, which she said could serve as evidence.
The court also considered a statement from the second complainant, a 16-year-old girl identified as “ZM”, who expressed concern about what could happen to her and her family if Sibiya were released.
ZM said the investigating officer’s questions about the possibility of bail had heightened her anxiety.
She explained that her fears stemmed partly from Sibiya’s former senior position in the police service and alleged threats directed at her father after she disclosed the matter to him.
“These threats were because of the matter I had reported to my father.
“This made me feel very unsafe, and I would not be comfortable should Ntate Sibiya get bail,” she said.
MC also alleged in her affidavit that someone from the defence had approached one of her friends to obtain a statement that would conflict with her version of events.
She described the alleged approach as an example of interference in a case involving sensitive allegations.
“This is the kind of interference that is currently at play with such a sensitive case,” she said.
The court was informed that the prosecution had been made aware of the alleged effort to secure a statement contradicting MC’s evidence.
The state was also reportedly alerted to information suggesting that the defence knew where the potential witness could be found.
These allegations add to the prosecution’s concerns as it challenges Sibiya’s bid for bail, arguing that his release could put the complainants at risk and create opportunities for witnesses to be influenced.
The bail proceedings are ongoing.
