DELMAS — Mpumalanga businessman and taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his co-accused have been granted bail of R70 000 each in an extortion and money laundering case involving alleged protection fee payments amounting to more than R2,2 million.
Sibanyoni, 60, appeared before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 28 May 2026, alongside Phillimon Makhaya Msiza Mvimba, Daniel Masilela, Oupa Sindane and company M&J Sons after the matter was re-enrolled and transferred from the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court to Delmas due to safety and security concerns.
According to the State, the accused allegedly extorted more than R2,2 million from a complainant between 2022 and 2025 by demanding protection fees and threatening to shut down the complainant’s businesses should he fail to comply.
Prosecutors further allege that payments made by the complainant were channelled through M&J Sons, an entity allegedly linked to Sibanyoni.
As part of their bail conditions, the accused are required to attend all court proceedings until the matter is finalised, refrain from interfering with witnesses, report to a police station every week and avoid committing any offence while out on bail.
The case was postponed to allow the State to disclose the contents of the docket to the defence, while the matter is expected to return to court on 01 September 2026.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said in an interview with the Highveld Chronicle: “We are comfortable with not opposing bail because bail is not a punishment, but a mechanism to ensure accused persons return to court.”
“We know their addresses, we know where to find them, and they are also required to report to the police station every two weeks. We believe those conditions are sufficient. The matter is now back on track and will follow the normal court process when it returns to court on 01 September. Investigations relating to the prosecutor are also expected to be finalised soon,” said Kganyago.
He added that the NPA had granted the defence legal representatives three months to submit representations to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga for consideration before further proceedings.
Speaking briefly after the court proceedings, Sibanyoni declined to comment directly on the allegations against him.
When asked whether he was innocent, he responded: “I am a man of God.”
He further stated that he preferred not to discuss the case publicly and instead referred to his role as a preacher of the Word of God.
The accused remain out on bail pending the continuation of court proceedings.
As the matter is before court, the allegations against the accused have not yet been tested and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
