Sibanyoni granted bail as NPA revives extortion case

Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his co-accused were granted bail after the National Prosecuting Authority re-enrolled a R2.2-million extortion and money laundering case that was previously struck off the roll amid controversy over a prosecutor’s absence

- Nkateko Joseph Mabasa

Not off the hook: Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni faces charges of allegedly forcing a mining entrepreneur to pay "protection fees" between 2022 and 2023. Photo: Supplied

(Supplied)

Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni was granted bail by the Delmas Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Thursday after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) officially re-enrolled the R2.2-million extortion and money laundering case.

“This is a Schedule 5 bail application, which is not opposed by the state,” the magistrate said.

“The court, having considered all the evidence before it, is satisfied that all the applicants have satisfied the court that it is in the interests of justice that they be released on bail and bail is therefore granted.”

The matter will return to court on 1 September. The case was re-enrolled after state prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba failed to appear for a scheduled bail hearing at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on 18 May.

Ntaba cited threats to his life while travelling to court and has since been placed on precautionary leave by the NPA.

Sibanyoni, together with co-accused Bafana Oupa Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza, faces charges of allegedly forcing mining entrepreneur Tengani Ntuli, the director of Tengani Mining, to pay “protection fees” between 2022 and 2025.

On Thursday, Sibanyoni filed papers in the Mbombela High Court seeking to halt his imminent arrest after the NPA re-enrolled the matter and issued a J50 arrest warrant.

Sibanyoni’s lawyer, advocate Shaun Abrahams, said the warrant was an overreach because a court summons would have ensured his client attended the hearing.

Speaking outside the Delmas Magistrates Court, NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Sibanyoni’s release on bail had effectively rendered his court interdict moot and that the state would be ready to proceed on 1 September.