Sibiya’s ‘consensual sex’ claim with teen sparks GBV backlash
Advocacy groups are criticizing Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya for claiming his sexual encounters with an 18-year-old were consensual while he faces charges of sexual offenses. Critics argue that his position of power and the age of the victim make the claim of consent highly problematic.
Why it matters
The case has sparked a national debate in South Africa regarding the age of consent and the abuse of power by senior officials in gender-based violence cases.
Advocacy groups have condemned Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya’s claims that he did not rape an 18-year-old girl, but that they instead had “consensual” sexual intercourse.
The 59-year-old Sibiya appeared at the Randburg magistrate’s court on Tuesday to apply for bail on charges of sexual offences.
The state alleges that he sexually groomed a 16-year-old girl and also allegedly raped an 18-year-old, 41 years his junior.
Sibiya, however, said the charges are unfounded, stating that he and the 18-year-old had consensual sex.
Reacting to this statements, advocacy groups said while legally an 18-year-old is considered an adult, 18-year-old girls are the most vulnerable.
Sarah Lekale, chairperson of the Free State GBV Forum, said: “Government needs to change the age of consent because what we see is that 18-year-old [girls] are the most vulnerable; this is based on what we have observed here at our shelter.
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