Justice minister backs suspension after prosecutor no‑show in Sibanyoni extortion case

What happened in court

The matter against Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and others was removed from the court roll after prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba did not appear for the continuation of bail proceedings. The court found the prosecutor in contempt and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Sibanyoni and co‑accused Bafana Oupa Sindane, Phillmon Makhaya Msiza and Mvimba Daniel Masilela face charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering. The state alleges that between 2022 and 2025 the trio forced a businessman in the Nkangala district to pay more than R2.2 million as a so‑called protection fee and threatened to shut down his business if he refused to comply.

Responses from justice officials

Minister Kubayi said she was disappointed and regretted how the matter unfolded, adding that technical lapses by state institutions must be avoided to maintain public confidence in the justice system. She urged the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to put systems and processes in place to prevent similar incidents.

“It is in the interest of justice that the accused persons are given an opportunity to respond to the charges brought against them in the court of law. Technical lapses of this nature, especially by state institutions, must be avoided so that the public does not lose confidence in our justice system,”

The NPA has suspended Ntaba and opened disciplinary proceedings. The authority said it would reflect on the magistrate’s order and determine the best legal mechanism to deal with the matter. Incumbent NDPP Andy Mothibi described the developments as concerning but said the NPA retains the right to reinstate the case once legal provisions are complied with.

Legal fallout and next steps

Sibanyoni’s legal representative, former NDPP Shaun Abrahams, described the prosecutor’s conduct as unprofessional and indicated he would pursue a contempt of court application against Ntaba. Mpumalanga Chief Magistrate Tule‑tu Siphokazi Tonjeni had specifically instructed the prosecutor to be present on Monday, the court record shows, despite Ntaba having informed the court on Friday, 15 May that he would be unavailable.

Law enforcement arrested three of the four accused on 12 May, while Sindane later surrendered himself to police on Friday, the reporting states.

What this means for Gauteng and Johannesburg

While the incident played out in Mpumalanga, the handling of the case and the NPA’s response are likely to be closely watched in Gauteng political and legal circles. The suspension and disciplinary steps taken by the NPA, and calls from the Justice Minister for improved systems, raise questions about prosecutorial processes that resonate beyond the court where the matter was heard.

For Johannesburg residents and stakeholders who follow high‑profile crime and governance issues, the episode underlines the importance of prosecutorial reliability in maintaining public trust in the criminal justice system.

Background on the charges

• Charges: extortion and two counts of money laundering against Sibanyoni and three others.
• Allegation period: 2022 to 2025.
• Alleged amount: more than R2.2 million demanded as a protection fee.
• Arrests: three arrested on 12 May; Sindane later surrendered to police on Friday.

The case remains legally active: the NPA has signalled it may reinstate proceedings once legal requirements are met and the disciplinary process regarding the prosecutor is concluded.