Taxi tycoon and socialite Joe Sibanyoni, 60, who also goes by the name Joe Ferrari due to his penchant for the Italian sports cars with the same name, is reportedly one of the most feared people in Mpumalanga and Pretoria.
Sibanyoni, arrested this week at his mansion in Centurion, Pretoria, and having made two court appearances at Kwaggafontein Magistrates’ Court in Mpumalanga, is a figure whose name many are reportedly afraid to say out loud.
The businessman and polygamist, who has fathered 14 children, was born in Kwaggafontein, in the then homeland of KwaNdebele. Sibanyoni started working as a taxi driver in 1985 and bought his first taxi 10 years later. His foray into business has been successful, having amassed millions in the taxi industry, bus operations, real estate, construction, mining and many other ventures. Sibanyoni’s empire is estimated to be worth more than R300-million.
The taxi boss, who is connected to a group of taxi bosses known as the “Presidential Cartel”, was part of a consortium that attempted to purchase the former PSL football club, Royal AM, last year. Reports indicate that he and his partners made a R15-million offer for the team, which ultimately failed.
Sibanyoni, along with Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, 45, and Philemon Msiza, 55, was arrested on Monday by the Special Task Force, while the fourth suspect, Bafana “King of the Sky” Sindane, 51, handed himself to the police on Friday after being on the run.
People who spoke to Sunday World in Kwaggafontein, Kwamhlanga, Verena, Vezibuhle, Tweefontein, Siyabuswa and Pretoria stated that Sibanyoni founded the notorious extortion gang called the Kwagga 20.
“Many people running businesses here in the Nkangala district, especially from Kwamhlanga to Siyabuswa and Pretoria, are being extorted every month by Kwagga 20 and others.
“If you run a business in this district, you should know that the goons of Joe Ferarri from Kwagga 20, and others who are also extortionists, will come knocking at your door to tell you that they are in charge of the protection of your business and, therefore, you should pay a protection fee,” said a KwaMhlanga businessman who asked not to be named.
Another businessman said that people in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality and Tshwane were also cautious to speak about Sibanyoni, as his people were everywhere and listening to what was being said about him.
“He has people everywhere who are his eyes and ears. You just need to look around before you mention his name, because you might find yourself in trouble. Some are pleased he’s arrested, but you should celebrate in silence or be targeted,” another businessman said.
Another business operator, who grew up in the same area as Sibanyoni, shared that he suspected the tycoon was inspired by Mbokodo, a vigilante group that terrorised communities in the former KwaNdebele in the 1980s.
“Remember that he was just a young man in his early 20s when Mbokodo was terrorising people in KwaNdebele, and in 1986 he just started working as a taxi driver and realised that the power of money and fame can make a person untouchable.”
Sibanyoni is also known for his philanthropic work in Mpumalanga through the Joe Sibanyoni Foundation, where he donates food parcels and builds homes to uplift vulnerable people.
The tycoon and his co-accused are facing charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering.
According to Mpumalanga police, Sibanyoni and his cohort allegedly extorted about R2.2-million from a businessman who is in mining.
The money collected between 2022 and 2025 was said to be protection fees.
It was allegedly paid into the accused’s bank account; thereafter, it would be allocated through multiple accounts to be laundered.
The matter is back in court on Monday for the accused’s bail application to continue.
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- Taxi tycoon and socialite Joe Sibanyoni, 60, who also goes by the name Joe Ferrari due to his penchant for the Italian sports cars with the same name, is reportedly one of the most feared people in Mpumalanga and Pretoria.
- Sibanyoni, arrested this week at his mansion in Centurion, Pretoria, and having made two court appearances at Kwaggafontein Magistrates’ Court in Mpumalanga, is a figure whose name many are reportedly afraid to say out loud.
- The businessman and polygamist, who has fathered 14 children, was born in Kwaggafontein, in the then homeland of KwaNdebele.
- Sibanyoni started working as a taxi driver in 1985 and bought his first taxi 10 years later.
- His foray into business has been successful, having amassed millions in the taxi industry, bus operations, real estate, construction, mining and many other ventures.
