{
  "id": 11220953,
  "title": "Court hears Sibiya could harm complainants if released on bail",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/court-hears-sibiya-could-harm-complainants-if-released-on-bail",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T15:00:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/court-hears-sibiya-could-harm-complainants-if-released-on-bail/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The investigating officer in Shadrack Sibiya's case against the suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner argued that he should not be released on bail, citing the high likelihood that he may harm the complainants in the proceedings. The State contends that if the defense believes its case is weak, it should directly state this instead of questioning the investigating officer's methods. This ruling came during the second day of Sibiya's bail application, which began earlier on Thursday. Sibiya was apprehended last week on charges of rape, human trafficking, and the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl. An additional charge of contravening the Firearms Control Act has been added to his case. Sergeant Ndlovu stated that there is compelling evidence suggesting that Sibiya will try to interfere with the state's case. According to him, the accused's actions are highly probable, given his actions and behavior, which indicate he is likely to harm Mr. M or ZM, individuals known to him with known contact details. This inference is drawn from his phone calls during the current case, which is not considered mere coincidence.",
  "summary": "Sibiya was arrested last week on charges of rape, human trafficking among others.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Shadrack Sibiya faces further disciplinary action as firearm charge emerges in bail hearing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/shadrack-sibiya-faces-further-disciplinary-action-as-firearm-charge",
        "published": "2026-10-01T11:02:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "‘Dare or Double Dare’: Court hears teen girls were allegedly told to 'twerk' in Sibiya case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/dare-or-double-dare-court-hears-teen-girls-were-allegedly-told-to",
        "published": "2026-10-01T13:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}