‘He’s a man of God’: Bishop Maumela believes Sibiya is innocent - TimesLIVE
Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela says he does not believe his friend, suspended deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, committed the sexual offences of which he stands accused.
Sibiya, 59, faces charges including rape, human trafficking and the sexual grooming of a minor. He is accused of raping an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May 2026. Additionally, he faces multiple counts of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl and human trafficking charges linked to those interactions.
Following his arrest on September 21, Sibiya appeared in the Randburg magistrate’s court to apply for bail. He has denied all allegations against him.
Speaking on a recent episode of Podcast and Chill, Maumela described Sibiya as a God-fearing man who would not commit such crimes.
“Sibiya is a friend of mine,” Maumela said. “We have known each other for some time and met through church activities. Sibiya goes to church without fail every Sunday. He is a man who loves to pray, and I have met many pastors through him.”
Addressing the charges, Maumela expressed scepticism about the allegations, while emphasising that justice must run its course if Sibiya is proven guilty.
“I don’t believe these things could have happened, knowing the environment surrounding Sibiya and me. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to gender-based violence. If he has done this, he must face the full might of the law and not be protected.”
Maumela also recounted the day of Sibiya’s arrest, explaining that Sibiya called him to say he was being followed and felt under siege. He asked Maumela to join him at a nearby restaurant, where the bishop met him shortly before the arrest took place.
During the arrest, Maumela asked Sibiya directly if he was guilty. Sibiya replied, “Bishop, you know me. I did not do it. I have been framed.”
Maumela said he had no reason to doubt Sibiya’s word, as the denial came directly from him, and he prayed for his friend right there.
The bishop also addressed a viral image circulating online that purports to show him and Sibiya at a strip club. Maumela insisted the image is AI-generated, pointing to clear discrepancies in his appearance. He noted that the hat and glasses in the photo are not his, and pointed out that he is depicted wearing a ring, despite being unmarried and never wearing one in real life.
“You can tell there is an agenda at play because of deeper issues in this country,” Maumela said. “What you are seeing is a reaction; when you challenge certain narratives, you inevitably face pushback. I wouldn’t be shocked if I were arrested tomorrow on fabricated charges.”
He added that the image has severely damaged his reputation, stressing: “I have never been to a strip club. I don’t even drink alcohol. I don’t visit such places, not even a pub.”
