Extortion Charges Dropped: Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and Co-Defendants Released
Kwaggafontein – The extortion charges against taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his three co-defendants collapsed after the prosecutor failed to show up, leading to the case being removed from the docket at the Mkobola Magistrate’s Court.
The 60-year-old Sibanyoni appeared in court again on Monday, 18 May 2026, with his co-defendants Bafana “King of Sky” Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela, and Philemon Msiza, facing claims of extortion and money laundering.
It is alleged that the defendants extorted more than R2 million in protection fees from an undisclosed mining entrepreneur between 2022 and 2025.
The individuals, who were arrested the previous week, were expecting to apply for bail; however, the proceedings could not progress.
Sibanyoni’s attorney, Shaun Abrams, a former director of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), voiced his frustration regarding the prosecutor’s absence.
“I’m profoundly disappointed… It is unacceptable to witness such conduct from a prosecutor,” Abrams expressed.
“It pains me to criticize a peer or hold one accountable as we do today. It is disheartening that this represents the justice being delivered.”
Abrams argued that the state prosecutor should be held accountable for failing to appear in court for such a critical 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 conveyed her displeasure over the absence of Prosecutor Mkhuluseli Ndaba, who had previously informed the control prosecutor that he was running late.
“No estimated arrival time was provided,” she remarked.
“Regardless of where he is traveling from within the province, he could have arrived by now if he truly intended to be present.
“Therefore, it is reasonable for this court to rule him guilty, in his absence, of contempt of court. I will issue a warrant for his arrest.”
Magistrate Tonjeni also expressed her intent to report the prosecutor’s conduct to his superiors and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Additionally, she accepted the defense’s request and struck the criminal case from the court roll.
The magistrate’s decision was met with enthusiastic cheers and applause from those in attendance.
Family members and supporters were seen embracing the released defendants within the courtroom.
Many appeared unaware that the matter could still be brought back to court.
Responding 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 noted: “Mpumalanga police remain confident that a strong case exists against the four suspects involved in the Kwaggafontein extortion case, despite today’s court developments.”
Colonel Masando indicated that the police would coordinate with the NPA to seek a re-enrollment of the case before the court.