JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s suspended deputy police chief, Shadrack Sibiya, resigned on Monday while facing allegations of corruption and sexual offenses.
Sibiya was due to appear at a disciplinary hearing on Monday, but his lawyers submitted his resignation letter at the start of the proceedings, 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,” Mathe said.
Sibiya remains in prison following his arrest last month on allegations of rape and grooming a minor. He has denied the charges. His bail application has been postponed until Oct. 13.
He has also been implicated in a judicial commission of inquiry examining broad corruption allegations within South Africa’s police force, including alleged links to criminal networks in the country.
The commission, chaired by retired Judge Mbuyiseni Madlanga, has heard allegations that Sibiya received substantial sums of money and gifts from people accused of criminal activity.
Sibiya rejected all allegations against him during testimony before the commission.
He had been suspended since September last year.