Extortion Case Dropped: Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and Co-Defendants Freed
Kwaggafontein – The extortion case against taxi leader Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his three co-defendants fell apart when the prosecutor failed to appear, leading to the case being removed from the docket at the Mkobola Magistrate’s Court.
The 60-year-old Sibanyoni returned to court on Monday, 18 May 2026, with his co-defendants Bafana “King of Sky” Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela, and Philemon Msiza, facing charges of extortion and money laundering.
It is alleged that the defendants extorted over R2 million in protection fees from an undisclosed mining entrepreneur between 2022 and 2025.
The individuals, arrested the previous week, had planned to apply for bail; however, no proceedings could take place.
Sibanyoni’s lawyer, Shaun Abrams, a former director of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), voiced his frustration with the prosecutor’s absence.
“I’m extremely disappointed… It is unacceptable for a prosecutor to behave this way,” Abrams stated.
“It is disheartening to criticize a colleague or hold one accountable as we do today. It is troubling that this is the kind of justice being rendered.”
Abrams claimed that the state prosecutor must be held accountable for not attending to such an important case.
“We have moved that the matter should be struck off the roll and that the state prosecutor be found in contempt of court.”
Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni expressed her displeasure at 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 traveled from within the province, he should have arrived by now if he truly intended to be here.
“It is therefore reasonable for this court to find him guilty, in his absence, of contempt of court. I will issue a warrant for his arrest.”
Magistrate Tonjeni also stated her intention to report the prosecutor’s conduct to his superiors and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Additionally, she accepted the defense’s motion and removed the criminal case from the court roll.
The magistrate’s ruling was met with loud cheers and applause from the audience.
Family members and supporters were seen embracing the released defendants in the courtroom.
Many seemed unaware that the case could potentially be reinstated.
In light of the situation, Mpumalanga Police Spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masando asserted 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, despite today’s court outcomes.”
Colonel Masando noted that the police will consult with the NPA to pursue a re-enrollment of the case before the court.