Fourth suspect in Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni extortion case hands himself over

Fourth suspect in Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni extortion case hands himself over

A fourth suspect wanted in connection with the extortion case against taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni has handed himself in to police in Mpumalanga, authorities said. The man, who has not been named, is set to make his first court appearance on Friday.

Arrests and court timetable

Taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and two co-accused were arrested earlier this week and are facing extortion and money laundering charges. Sibanyoni was arrested by the Special Task Force in Pretoria on Tuesday morning, and two other people were arrested alongside him.

The newly surrendered suspect will join Sibanyoni and the two earlier arrestees in facing the charges when they appear in court on Friday.

Cooperation, says defence

At the police station the fourth suspect’s lawyer told media that his client was “cooperating with the police.” The lawyer said the man “has never been at large” and that they contacted the prosecution and police before he handed himself over.

“He was cooperating with the police. He has never been at large. We have been cooperating, he was not aware that the police are looking for him up until we inquire from the prosecution and the police. Immediately, he consulted with us yesterday, and he’s in. He handed himself over, he has been processed.”

The lawyer added that the defence was ready to proceed with a bail application and described the matter as “just an ordinary, normal extortion case,” noting the matter is sub judice.

What this means for Gauteng readers

While the arrest of Sibanyoni took place in Pretoria, the case has wider interest across the province and beyond given the profile of the accused. Johannesburg readers will likely follow court developments when the accused appear later this week.

This is a developing story.