Socialite Serge Cabonge Says Shadrack Sibiya Met Women Through Him: ‘He Met A Lot Of Girls Around Me’

“Maybe it’s because he met a lot of girls around me.” Those were the words of socialite Serge Cabonge in an audio recording played during former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya’s bail hearing at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. In the 25-minute conversation, Cabonge suggested that Sibiya had met several women through his social circle, including actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane.

Shadrack Sibiya Bail Hearing Hears Cabonge’s Claims About Tebogo Thobejane

The Shadrack Sibiya bail hearing took a new turn on Tuesday when the State played the recording of a conversation between Cabonge and a man identified as Mr M, an associate of Sibiya. During the exchange, Cabonge claimed Sibiya knew Thobejane, the former girlfriend of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. Mr M disputed the claim, saying Sibiya had previously told him that he did not know her.

“But General, General (Sibiya) doesn’t know Tebogo,” Mr M said.

Cabonge disagreed, responding, “No, he knows … me, I am sitting with General and Tebogo a couple of times.”

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Mr M reportedly expressed surprise at the claim, while Cabonge suggested that Sibiya might have forgotten meeting Thobejane because he had encountered several women in his company. The socialite repeated that explanation during the conversation, which was presented as part of the evidence in the bail proceedings.

“Maybe it’s because he met a lot of girls around me. You understand that? Maybe it’s because he met a lot of girls around me, that’s why, do you understand?” Cabonge said.

Shadrack Sibiya Case Recording Mentions Thobejane Shooting

The Shadrack Sibiya case recording has brought renewed attention to Thobejane, who previously appeared in the television drama Muvhango. She was shot in the foot during a shooting on the N1 highway near Sandton in 2023, while a female passenger in the vehicle suffered severe spinal injuries and was left paralysed. Thobejane was previously in a relationship with Matlala.

The shooting forms part of a separate case before the Johannesburg High Court, where Matlala and four co-accused face 25 charges, including attempted murder. The State alleges that three separate plots were orchestrated between August 2022 and January 2024, targeting Sibanyoni, Thobejane and music producer Seunkie “DJ Vetteys” Mokubong. Matlala is accused alongside alleged gunmen Musa Kekana and Tiego Floyd Mabusela, his wife Tsakani, and Nthabiseng Zandile Nzama.

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The charges in that case include conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, money laundering and fraud. Matlala and his co-accused have pleaded not guilty to all 25 counts, including attempted murder charges that carry the possibility of life imprisonment. Kekana, Mabusela and Matlala remain in custody, while Tsakani and Nzama are out on bail.

Shadrack Sibiya Faces Rape And Sexual Grooming Allegations

The Shadrack Sibiya bail hearing concerns several serious allegations brought by the State against the former senior police officer. Prosecutors allege that he raped an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel on 15 May after she was allegedly given alcohol and lost consciousness. He is also accused of sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl through WhatsApp between July and August, as well as possessing and distributing sexually explicit images of the teenager.

The girl’s father, referred to in court as Mr M to protect her identity, is described as an associate of Sibiya. The State has further alleged that Sibiya trafficked three people for sexual exploitation. Sibiya has denied the allegations against him.

His court appearance follows his resignation from the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 12 October 2026. His legal representative submitted the resignation after disciplinary proceedings had begun, prompting the police service to terminate his employment immediately and classify his departure as a dishonourable discharge. His bail application is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.