Court Hears Sibiya’s Challenge Against Suspension by Masemola

The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria will today hear the case brought by suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, who is challenging his suspension by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

Sibiya was suspended in July over allegations that he unlawfully disbanded the KwaZulu-Natal political killings task team, an accusation he has strongly denied. He is seeking a court declaration that the suspension was unlawful and has also filed an application to be reinstated to his position.

The case, initially set for hearing last week, was postponed after Sibiya requested that it be considered by a full bench of judges.

In a supplementary affidavit filed ahead of today’s proceedings, Sibiya referenced concerns raised by Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia regarding the return of 121 case dockets to the political killings task team. He also cited remarks from President Cyril Ramaphosa questioning Masemola’s decision to strip his office of the politically sensitive files.

The high-profile dispute has sparked debate within the security sector, with observers closely watching how the court rules on the balance of authority within the police leadership.