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 net is tightening around Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni after a fourth suspect, Bafana Sindane, handed himself over to police on Friday in connection with a R2 million extortion case.
Sindane, a Pretoria-based taxi boss allegedly linked to Sibanyoni, surrendered to authorities with his legal representatives before being formally added to the growing criminal matter involving allegations of extortion and money laundering.
The arrests come days after Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza were taken into custody over allegations that they demanded more than R2 million in “protection fees” from a mining businessman between 2022 and 2025.
Investigators are probing whether the case may be linked to wider criminal activity within the taxi industry, which has long faced allegations of violence, intimidation and organised enforcement structures.
Sibanyoni, who is known to control a fleet of more than 300 taxis in Mpumalanga, has previously been linked to allegations and investigations involving taxi-related violence.
His name has also surfaced in matters involving alleged cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The businessman at the centre of the case reportedly laid an extortion complaint amounting to R2 million, triggering a formal investigation.
Despite the allegations, Sibanyoni has denied any wrongdoing.
His lawyer, former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams, said his client would challenge the accusations and consider civil action for defamation.
All four accused are expected to appear in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court for a high-profile bail hearing as investigations continue.
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