{
  "id": 15357087,
  "title": "THE LOWLY NEWSPAPERMAN: Sibiya and Selebi — two very different paths to power and disgrace",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/the-lowly-newspaperman-sibiya-and-selebi-two-very-different-paths-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T05:42:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-18-sibiya-and-selebi-two-very-different-paths-to-power-and-disgrace/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shadrack Sibiya and Jackie Selebi were two very different men who entered the ranks of law enforcement and faced disgrace at the end of their careers. Selebi, a stalwart of the liberation struggle, entered the police service to aid in the transformation of the apartheid police force. However, Sibiya began his career in the apartheid police force, believing he was simply fighting crime, unaware of the darker activities of the old SAP.\n\nAs Sibiya's career progressed post-apartheid, he demonstrated his ability to navigate political networks, securing high-ranking positions within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Known for his cunning, he climbed the ranks, accumulating accolades and rewards for his perceived contributions to the fight against corruption. However, his integrity began to wane as he became entangled with the criminal underworld, receiving favors and living a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the force he was meant to lead.\n\nDespite being dismissed during Thabo Mbeki's presidency, Sibiya rebounded and found work as head of the anti-corruption unit in Johannesburg. This appointment drew praise from the city's mayor, who believed in Sibiya's no-fear approach. However, corruption continued to plague his career, ultimately leading to his reinstatement through a Labour Court victory and his rise once again under Bheki Cele's leadership.\n\nThroughout his career, Sibiya's character and motivations remain uncertain. His allegations of sexual misconduct and his penchant for certain eateries paint a picture of a man plagued by personal issues. Contemplating the potential paths his career could have taken, it's unnerving to imagine Sibiya at the helm of the Hawks or even as national commissioner, positions that would have placed him in an extremely powerful position within the police force.",
  "summary": "We should not read too much into the trajectories of the two former top cops – one whose career began in the apartheid police, while the other was a stalwart of the liberation struggle.",
  "key_points": [
    "Shadrack Sibiya and Jackie Selebi had contrasting law enforcement careers.",
    "Sibiya joined apartheid police force unknowingly, Selebi fought for its transformation.",
    "Sibiya's career ended in disgrace due to corruption and misconduct allegations."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The contrasting trajectories of these law enforcement figures illustrate how political maneuvering and personal corruption can allow compromised individuals to repeatedly reclaim high-ranking positions within the South African police service.",
  "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."
}