The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has accused influential taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his co-accused of allegedly forcing a Mpumalanga businessman to pay more than R2.2-million in “protection fees” while threatening to shut down his operations if he refused to comply.
The 60-year-old Sibanyoni, who’s dubbed “Ferrari” for his affection for the Italian supercar, appeared briefly in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court alongside Phillmon Makhaya Msiza (55) and Mvimba Daniel Masilela (45) on charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering.
NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the alleged extortion scheme stretched over several years in Mpumalanga’s Nkangala district.
“The state alleges that between 2022 and 2025, in the Nkangala District, the accused unlawfully exerted pressure on the complainant by forcing him to pay a protection fee amounting to more than R2.2-million,” said Nyuswa on Thursday.
“The accused allegedly threatened to shut down the complainant’s business operations should he fail to comply with their demands.”
Alleged money-laundering scheme
The state further alleges that the funds were deposited into the accuseds’ bank accounts before being moved through different accounts in an alleged money-laundering scheme.
“It is further alleged that the complainant deposited the money into the accused’s bank accounts, after which the funds were allegedly laundered through various bank accounts,” Nyuswa said.
The trio was arrested on Tuesday following what the NPA described as an intensive police investigation involving the SA Police Service organised crime unit in Mpumalanga.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the state applied for a seven-day postponement of the bail application, a move strongly opposed by the defence.
However, the court postponed the matter to Friday, May 15, for an appearance before a new presiding officer.
Nyuswa said prosecutors intended to oppose bail because the charges fall under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
“The accused are facing serious offences that fall under Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act. The state is therefore opposing their release on bail,” she said.
The case has drawn significant public attention because of Sibanyoni’s growing profile during the explosive Madlanga commission hearings into alleged organised crime networks and possible links between taxi figures and law enforcement officials.
‘I’m a servant of God’
On Wednesday, Sibanyoni appeared relaxed in court, dressed in a black suit and blue tie, despite the serious allegations hanging over him.
After the proceedings, he told journalists in Siswati: “Mina ngiyi nceku kaNkulunkulu,” loosely translated as “I’m a servant of God.”
The commission previously heard testimony from Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, who conceded under pressure that he had visited Sibanyoni’s house 12 times between March 2024 and September 2025 after initially appearing to minimise their relationship.
Sibanyoni has not been convicted of any offence linked to testimony heard before the Madlanga commission, and allegations aired during the inquiry remain untested in court.
“The National Prosecuting Authority reaffirms its commitment to prosecuting extortion-related offences, as these crimes negatively affect economic development, threaten community safety, and place immense financial and emotional pressure on victims,” Nyuswa said.
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- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) accuses taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and two others of extorting over R2.2 million in protection fees from a Mpumalanga businessman, threatening to shut down his operations if he refused.
- Sibanyoni, along with Phillmon Makhaya Msiza and Mvimba Daniel Masilela, face charges of extortion and money laundering related to an alleged scheme from 2022 to 2025 in the Nkangala district.
- The accused allegedly laundered extorted funds through multiple bank accounts after the businessman deposited money into their accounts.
- The trio was arrested following a police investigation, with the court postponing their bail hearing to May 15; prosecutors oppose bail due to the seriousness of the charges.
- Sibanyoni gained public attention from the Madlanga Commission hearings on organized crime, with allegations linking taxi figures to law enforcement, though he hasn’t been convicted of related offenses.
NPA regional spokesperson Monica
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“It is further alleged that the complainant deposited the money into the accused's bank accounts, after which the funds were allegedly laundered through various bank accounts,”
However, the court postponed the matter to Friday, May 15, for an appearance before a new presiding officer.
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On Wednesday,
After the proceedings, he told journalists in Siswati: “Mina ngiyi nceku kaNkulunkulu," loosely translated as "I'm a servant of God.”
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