Sibanyoni, two others in court on extortion charges

Prominent Mpumalanga taxi industry figure Joe Ferrari Sibanyoni and two co-accused appeared in the Kwaggafontein Magistrates Court on Wednesday, facing charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering. The case, stemming from allegations that the trio extorted about R2 million from a local businessman over several months, was postponed to Friday for a formal bail application.

Sibanyoni, along with Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza, was arrested on Tuesday in coordinated operations by the South African Police Service's organised crime unit across Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Police opened the investigation in November 2025 after the victim, a mining sector businessman, reported prolonged demands for payments at the Kwaggafontein police station. A fourth suspect remains at large, though officers have made contact and expect a surrender soon. Investigations continue, with police indicating further charges may be added.

In court, the state opposed bail and requested a seven-day postponement to gather additional evidence, while affirming that all cases must be handled without preferential treatment. Magistrate DJ Erasmus ruled that proceeding immediately would not serve the...