Bishop Maumela Withdraws Remarks Following Sibiya Court Appearance

JOHANNESBURG — Bishop Azwihangwi Maumela has apologised and withdrawn comments he made to the media following Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya’s first appearance in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.

In a statement, Maumela said he had reflected on his comments and received feedback from people who engaged with him. He said he subsequently recognised that he should have approached the matter with greater sensitivity, particularly given that the case involves allegations concerning a minor.

Maumela has withdrawn the statements and allegations he previously made concerning President Cyril Ramaphosa, law-enforcement agencies and the Madlanga Commission.

He also clarified that he did not intend his remarks to threaten, harm or intimidate any person and accepted responsibility for the manner in which he conducted his engagement with the media.

“I sincerely apologise for my conduct,” Maumela said.

He further said he would refrain from making additional public comments about the matter and would allow the relevant legal processes to take their course.

The apology follows comments Maumela made outside court on Tuesday, where he described Sibiya as a long-standing friend and referred to him as a “child of God”.

During that media engagement, Maumela alleged, among other things, that Sibiya’s arrest was connected to an internal dispute concerning the succession of the National Police Commissioner. Those claims have since been withdrawn by Maumela and should not be treated as established facts.

Maumela also claimed that police had been at the residence of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu with a search-and-seizure warrant around the same period as the operation involving Sibiya. That claim was also part of the remarks he has subsequently withdrawn.

He questioned the focus of police leadership, referring to the deaths of nine people in Ekurhuleni and arguing that law enforcement should prioritise addressing violent crime.

Maumela also referred to comments attributed to KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July 2025 and made claims about Sibiya’s prospects of becoming National Police Commissioner. These statements were part of Maumela’s commentary and are not presented as established findings.

He further questioned whether Sibiya, who had previously been suspended and subjected to scrutiny, would commit the offences with which he is now charged.

During the same engagement, Maumela made comments concerning President Ramaphosa and law-enforcement authorities, including a warning that “we are going to retaliate” if the President did not intervene. He has since withdrawn those remarks and allegations.

Sibiya case

Sibiya faces criminal charges including rape, trafficking in persons and sexual grooming. These are allegations before the court, and Sibiya is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

He remains in custody, with his formal bail application expected to be heard on 29 September.

The State has indicated that it intends to oppose bail, reportedly citing concerns including the potential for witness interference and the possibility of the accused absconding. These are arguments to be presented through the legal process and are not findings of guilt.

Sibiya has not yet entered a plea to the criminal charges.

The matter remains before the court, and the allegations against Sibiya have not been tested through a criminal trial.