Taxi boss, Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni appeared alongside co-accused Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has maintained that there is still a strong case against four suspects in the Kwaggafontein extortion matter, despite proceedings being struck off the court roll following the prosecutor’s failure to appear in court on Monday.
Police confirmed that the matter was removed from the roll after the scheduled prosecutor did not attend the continuation of the bail application in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate's Court.
“The SAPS has noted that the matter was struck off the court roll after the prosecutor failed to appear in court,” said police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.
The case involves taxi kingpin Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and three others. They were arrested by the SAPS Organised Crime Unit following an investigation into extortion-related offences.
It is alleged that the group, Sibanyoni, Bafana Sindane, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, and Philemon Msiza, extorted more than R2 million in ‘protection fees’ from a mining businessman between 2022 and 2025.
Despite the procedural setback, police say the strength of the investigation remains unchanged.
“The SAPS Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit maintains that it still has a strong case despite the latest developments,” Masondo said.
Authorities further emphasised that the investigative work underpinning the prosecution remains intact and robust.
“Strong evidence against the suspects with regard to the matter remains intact,” Masondo said.
The police also dismissed reports suggesting that investigating officers were absent from court during the proceedings, describing such claims as false.
“It should also be noted that reports alleging that SAPS investigating officers were not present in court are false. The investigating team arrived in court at 8.45am this morning,” said Masondo.
SAPS added that it will continue engaging with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding the way forward in the case as efforts continue to restore the matter to the court roll.
Following the incident, the NPA confirmed that disciplinary action has been instituted and the prosecutor has been suspended pending internal processes.
The authority further explained that the matter cannot simply resume without formal intervention.
“The implications of this turn of events mean that it can only be reinstated upon a written authorisation by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mpumalanga Division,” NPA said.
NPA National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Andy Mothibi, expressed concern over the incident and urged patience as both internal and external processes unfold.
“While this is disappointing, it is not a setback as we are within our right and authority to reinstate the case once there is compliance with the legal provisions governing matters removed from the court roll in this manner," said Adv Mothibi.
"There is no room for impunity as we remain resolute in our constitutional obligation to hold those accused of criminality accountable."
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