Extortion Charges Dropped: Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and Co-Defendants Released
Kwaggafontein – The extortion case against taxi leader Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his three co-defendants collapsed when the prosecutor did not show up, leading to the case being removed from the docket at the Mkobola Magistrate’s Court.
The 60-year-old Sibanyoni faced the court again on Monday, 18 May 2026, with his co-defendants Bafana “King of Sky” Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela, and Philemon Msiza, as they confronted charges of extortion and money laundering.
It is claimed that the defendants extorted over R2 million in protection payments from a yet-to-be-named mining entrepreneur from 2022 to 2025.
Although the individuals, arrested the previous week, were preparing to apply for bail, the proceedings could not take place.
Sibanyoni’s attorney, Shaun Abrams, a former director at the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), voiced his dissatisfaction regarding the prosecutor’s absence.
“I am extremely disappointed… It is unacceptable for a prosecutor to behave this way,” Abrams remarked.
“It saddens me to criticize a colleague or to hold one accountable as we do today. It is troubling that this is the justice we are witnessing.”
Abrams insisted that the state prosecutor should be held accountable for his failure to appear and address this important case.
“We have moved that the case be struck off the roll and that the state prosecutor be found in contempt of court.”
Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni expressed her frustration over Prosecutor Mkhuluseli Ndaba’s absence, noting he had previously communicated that he would be late.
“No estimated time of arrival was provided,” she pointed out.
“No matter his location in the province, he should have arrived by now if he truly intended to participate.
“Therefore, this court reasonably concludes that he is guilty of contempt of court in his absence, and I will issue a warrant for his arrest.”
Magistrate Tonjeni also announced her plans to report the prosecutor’s conduct to his supervisors and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Additionally, she accepted the defense’s motion to remove the criminal case from the court roll.
The magistrate’s ruling was met with cheers and applause from those in attendance.
Inside the courtroom, family members and supporters were seen celebrating with the released defendants.
Many seemed unaware that the case could still be brought back to court.
In reaction to the situation, Mpumalanga Police Spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masando stated that the South African Police Service’s Organised Crime Unit has a “solid” case against the defendants.
The spokesperson commented: “Mpumalanga police remain confident that a strong case exists against the four suspects involved in the Kwaggafontein extortion case, notwithstanding today’s court developments.”
Colonel Masando noted that police would consult with the NPA regarding a re-enrollment of the case for court proceedings.