Bail hearing for taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni disrupted after prosecutors fail to appear

Who was in court and what they face

The matters involved Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni, Bafana Sindane, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza. They face charges of money laundering and extortion related to allegations that they extorted more than R2 million in ‘protection fees’ from a mining businessman between 2022 and 2025.

Delay, confrontation and contempt application

Proceedings were due to start at 9am, but the hearing only began at 12:38pm after state prosecutors did not appear. Sibanyoni’s lawyer, Shaun Abrahams, criticised the State’s absence and said he would file a complaint over what he called unprofessional conduct.

Abrahams asked for the control prosecutor to be brought to court so the State could be represented during the bail application. According to the court orderly, the control prosecutor could not be located.

“Mphoke Magane, my instructing attorney, found the control prosecutor having lunch. He spoke to her in her office. We are quite surprised she is unable to come to your court. I am instructed to move an application, to find the prosecutor in contempt of court and request that this matter be struck from the roll,” Abrahams submitted.

“The conduct of the prosecutor is egregiously disrespectful of the authority of this honourable court.”

Abrahams said a magistrate had ordered the bail application to resume punctually at 9am and that court staff, defence counsel and the accused were present. He argued the prosecutor was aware of the order but did not attend, calling the behaviour “unprofessional” and asking the court to find the prosecutor in contempt.

“Justice delayed is justice denied”.

On possible sanctions, Abrahams urged the court to consider punishment and further disciplinary action.

“Be it imprisonment. Be it a fine,” Abrahams said.

Next steps

The proceedings resumed after the delay. The court will hear any application or submissions related to Abrahams’s call for contempt and disciplinary measures as part of the ongoing bail process.