Pretoria, South Africa — South Africa’s suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, has resigned from the South African Police Service (SAPS) while facing criminal charges and internal disciplinary proceedings.

Sibiya’s lawyer submitted his resignation on Monday, shortly after a disciplinary hearing against the senior police officer began.

SAPS confirmed that his employment ended with immediate effect and classified his departure as a “dishonorable discharge” because he resigned while disciplinary proceedings were underway.

The 59-year-old remains the subject of criminal proceedings involving allegations of sexual offences, human trafficking and a firearms-related offence.

Shadrack Sibiya faces rape and human trafficking charges

Sibiya faces several criminal charges, including allegations of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl, raping an 18-year-old woman, human trafficking and a firearms-related offence.

He has denied wrongdoing and maintains that his sexual encounter with the 18-year-old complainant was consensual.

The allegations remain before the courts, and no finding of guilt has been established.

His resignation from SAPS does not affect the criminal case, which will continue through the judicial process.

SAPS confirms resignation amid disciplinary proceedings

Sibiya’s departure came as internal disciplinary proceedings against him were getting underway.

The police service said his resignation took immediate effect, bringing his employment to an end while the disciplinary matter remained unresolved.

He had previously been suspended over separate allegations involving possible links to organized crime and interference in police investigations.

Some of those allegations have been raised before the Madlanga Commission, which is investigating claims of corruption, political interference and criminal influence within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.

The allegations before the commission are separate from the criminal charges currently facing Sibiya.

Sibiya’s bail application continues at Randburg court

Despite his resignation, Sibiya remains subject to the criminal justice process.

His bail application is continuing before the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, where the charges against him remain under consideration.

The case comes amid broader scrutiny of alleged misconduct and criminal influence within South Africa’s policing institutions.