{
  "id": 10962073,
  "title": "Saps explains throat-slicing gesture seen in Shadrack Sibiya court video",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/saps-explains-throat-slicing-gesture-seen-in-shadrack-sibiya-court",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T14:33:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/saps-explains-throat-slicing-gesture-seen-in-shadrack-sibiya-court-video/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Saps accepted that the video had raised alarm.",
  "key_points": [
    "Saps clarifies throat-slicing gesture was operational, not threatening",
    "Man in blue suit confirmed as Saps Combat Team member",
    "Gesture explained as informing protection staff of roles"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}