Who is Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni? Profile as extortion case collapses from court roll

Intro

The spotlight has returned to South Africa’s taxi industry after the extortion case against prominent taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and three co-accused was struck from the court roll. Sibanyoni and three others are accused of extorting more than R2.2 million from a mining businessman between 2022 and 2025.

What happened in court

The matter was removed from the court roll after prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba failed to appear. Reports say the prosecutor was on his way to court before allegedly turning back because of security concerns. The accused began their bail application proceedings on Friday, and a magistrate ordered the hearing to continue on Monday.

Sibanyoni’s legal team applied for the matter to be struck from the roll and for the prosecutor to be held in contempt. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it plans to re-enrol the extortion case, and the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi, confirmed disciplinary action would be taken and that the prosecutor has been suspended.

“While this is disappointing, it is not a setback as we are within our right and authority to reinstate the case once there is compliance with the legal provisions governing matters removed from the court roll in this manner,” Advocate Andy Mothibi said.

Police and investigators

Mpumalanga police organisers said investigators still believe they have a strong case despite the court setback. The SAPS Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit led the investigation that resulted in the arrests, and police said the evidence remains intact.

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

Who is Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni?

Sibanyoni rose from modest beginnings and reportedly began working as a taxi driver in 1985 before buying his first taxi a decade later. Over time he built what reports describe as a business empire spanning the taxi industry, bus operations, construction, mining, logistics, information technology and real estate, with reported business interests estimated at more than R300 million.

He is believed to operate a transport empire of about 400 minibus taxis across Gauteng and Mpumalanga and has held senior leadership roles in the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), including serving as provincial chairperson and deputy president of the organisation. His influence is noted as particularly strong in Mpumalanga, including areas such as Kwaggafontein.

Sibanyoni is nicknamed “Ferrari” for his love of the luxury Italian sports car brand. He is also known for philanthropic activity through the Joe Sibanyoni Foundation, which provides food parcels and builds homes for vulnerable communities in Mpumalanga.

Taxi bodies respond

The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) told reporters it could confirm that Sibanyoni was not a member of the NTA and directed queries to Santaco. Santaco declined to comment on the arrest when approached by reporters.

“We have received your inquiry regarding Mr Joe Sibanyoni. However, we can confirm that he was not a member of the NTA. Please reach out to Santaco, as he was a member there,” NTA national spokesperson Theo Malele told IOL News.

“We have no comment on all questions as shared,” Santaco national spokesperson Rebecca Phala said.

What’s next

The NPA has indicated it will re-enrol the case. Meanwhile, police said they will continue engaging with the NPA as investigations proceed and as the prosecution addresses the procedural issues that led to the matter being struck from the roll.