By Enyichukwu Enemanna
South Africa’s suspended deputy head of the police, Shadrack Sibiya, on Monday announced his resignation as he faces graft and sexual misconduct allegations.
Sibiya was set to face a disciplinary committee on Monday but his lawyers tendered his letter of resignation just as the proceeding was about to commence, police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said.
“As the former senior officer had an ongoing disciplinary case against him at the time of his resignation, his departure from the service is therefore regarded as a dishonorable discharge,” a Reuters report quoted Mathe as saying.
Sibiya is currently in prison after he was arrested for alleged rape and grooming of a minor last month. He has denied the charges. His application for bail has been postponed to Oct. 13.
Sibiya has been the subject of a judicial commission of inquiry investigating wide-ranging allegations of corruption within the South African police and alleged ties to the country’s criminal networks.
The commission of inquiry is headed by a retired Judge, Mbuyiseni Madlanga, where Sibiya has been accused of receiving large sums of cash and gifts from alleged criminals.
During his testimony at the commission, Sibiya denied all allegations against him.
He had been suspended since September last year.
