Saps explains throat-slicing gesture seen in Shadrack Sibiya court video
Saps accepted that the video had raised alarm.
The South African Police Service (Saps) has clarified that the throat-slicing gesture seen in the court video involving suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya was not intended as a threat. The video emerged during the court case and showed a man in a blue suit making the gesture. Saps explained that the gestures were operational in nature, not intended to intimidate or interfere with court proceedings.
The man in the blue suit was confirmed to be a member of Saps' Combat Team of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT). The gestures were meant to inform the investigating officer that the protection staff needed to prepare for the officers' roles in the court case. Saps acknowledged that the video could have been misinterpreted without context, and the officer has been reminded of the importance of using non-verbal communication cautiously, especially in sensitive environments.
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