Johannesburg, South Africa (Running Africa) — Suspended South African deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has appeared in court on charges including rape, human trafficking, and the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl.

Sibiya, 59, appeared briefly before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday following his arrest a day earlier.

Prosecutors allege that Sibiya raped an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Johannesburg’s Sandton district in May.

He is also accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl through electronic communications between July and August. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Shadrack Sibiya Faces Human Trafficking Charge

The case also includes a human trafficking charge involving three people.

Prosecutors have asked the court to keep Sibiya in custody ahead of a formal bail hearing scheduled for September 29.

The state is expected to oppose bail and has raised concerns about possible witness interference and the risk that Sibiya could flee.

Sibiya did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance and has not publicly commented on the charges. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Case Comes Amid Madlanga Commission Scrutiny

The criminal proceedings come as Sibiya separately faces scrutiny before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is examining allegations of corruption and criminal activity within South Africa’s police service.

Sibiya has previously denied allegations that he received 20 impalas from Vusimuzi Matlala, an alleged criminal figure, in connection with a police contract.

The commission proceedings are separate from the rape, grooming, and human trafficking case now before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.

Sibiya is expected to return to court on September 29 for the bail hearing.