Santaco monitors situation after taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni’s arrest

South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said it is closely monitoring developments after the arrest of taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni on allegations of extortion and money laundering, and is weighing whether leadership changes may be required.

Council to let legal process run

Speaking on the sidelines of Santaco’s national elective conference in Boksburg, national spokesperson Rebecca Phala said the organisation was “allowing for the legal processes to play out.” She noted that Santaco’s investment arm is not a sole proprietor business and “there are many other people who are leading alongside the executive chairman, Mr Sibanyoni.”

Phala told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that “the work has not necessarily stopped because of what’s happened in relation to the chairman of the board” and that “the leadership will advise should it be that they see a need to make any sort of changes in that particular regard.”

“We are not operating as a sole proprietor. There has not been any crisis in terms of the work that the investment arm is doing despite what’s happening in terms of the case that you’ve mentioned,” Phala said.

Allegations and court developments

Sibanyoni and three co-accused Bafana Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza are accused of extorting more than R2.2 million from a mining businessman between 2022 and 2025. The group allegedly demanded protection fees from the complainant until a case was opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The matter was struck off the court roll after prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba failed to appear. Ntaba was later found in contempt of court after missing a scheduled bail hearing. According to reports cited by IOL, the prosecutor was on his way to court before allegedly turning back because of “threats.” Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni said she would authorise a warrant for Ntaba’s arrest.

Sibanyoni’s legal team, led by advocate Shaun Abrahams SC, applied for the matter to be struck from the roll and for Ntaba to be held in contempt of court. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has since confirmed plans to re-enrol the extortion case.

SAPS response and investigation status

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said investigators still believed they had a strong case against the four suspects. “The SAPS Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit maintains that it still has a strong case despite the latest developments,” Masondo said.

He said the investigation was carried out by organised crime investigators, leading to the arrest of the four suspects and the initial enrolment of the case before bail proceedings began. “Strong evidence against the suspects with regard to the matter remains intact,” Masondo added. “The SAPS will continue engaging with the National Prosecuting Authority regarding the case.”

Background on Sibanyoni and industry reaction

The arrest has brought renewed scrutiny on Sibanyoni, who is widely known by the nickname “Ferrari.” IOL reported that the National Taxi Alliance confirmed Sibanyoni was not affiliated with that organisation and directed queries to Santaco. Santaco declined further comment, with Phala saying, “We have no comment on all questions as shared.”

The organisation said it was monitoring developments and that, for now, its work was continuing while it considered whether any leadership actions were necessary.