The bail hearing for taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his three co-accused in their ongoing extortion matter was set to continue at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Monday, 18 May 2026.
However, proceedings, which were due to commence at 9am, were delayed after the state prosecutor failed to appear.
As a result, Sibanyoni’s legal representative, former national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) Shaun Abrahams, indicated that he would be pursuing a contempt of court application against state advocate Mkhuliseli Ntaba for not attending court.
Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni extortion case struck off the roll
Abrahams described Ntaba’s conduct as unprofessional, noting that Mpumalanga Chief Magistrate Tully Tonjeni had specifically instructed that the prosecutor be present in court on Monday, despite Ntaba’s attempts on Friday, 15 May, to indicate that he would be unavailable.
This led to Tonjeni striking the case from the court roll and issued a warrant of arrest for Ntaba.
“The conduct of Mr Ntaba has left my mind boggled. I saw him for the first time at the last appearance on Friday and there was a point at which I indicated that he was being unprofessional and today, sadly, we still have to sit with that. I gave a clear order,” she said.
The magistrate highlighted that although she was informed Ntaba was delayed due to paperwork, no specific time of arrival was communicated to the court.
“He would have been here by now if he had an interest to be here or to comply with the order that was made.
“Therefore, it would only be reasonable for this court to find him guilty in his absence from court and I would authorise a warrant for his arrest.”
She added that a complaint would be laid with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Mpumalanga.
“I’m inclined to strike the matter off the roll.”
Charges
Sibanyoni, together with Bafana Oupa Sindane, Phillmon Makhaya Msiza and Mvimba Daniel Masilela, is accused in a case involving extortion and money laundering.
The state claims that over the period from 2022 to 2025, the trio allegedly forced a businessman in Nkangala district to pay more than R2.2 million as so-called protection fee.
It is also alleged that the victim was threatened with the shutdown of his business operations if he refused to comply.
The prosecution further allege that the complainant made payments into accounts linked to the accused, after which the money was allegedly transferred through several banking channels in an effort to disguise its source.
The state had opposed bail for all accused because the alleged offences fall under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
