DELMAS – Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and three co-accused appeared in the Delmas Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday as their R2.2 million extortion and money-laundering case was postponed to 20 October 2026.

Sibanyoni appeared alongside Bafana Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza. The four handed themselves over to police in May and were later granted bail of R70,000 each.

The State alleges that the accused demanded more than R2 million in protection fees from a businessman and threatened to shut down his operations if he did not pay.

The State prosecutor told the court that the defence is expected to submit an application or request on 4 September. The State will then have until 5 October to respond, with the matter returning to court on 20 October.

The defence confirmed the postponement but raised concerns about delays in preparing for the case.

Defence counsel Advocate Shaun Abrahams told the court that the accused had complied with a bail condition requiring them to report to police stations every second week. He said police had allegedly been unable to confirm the reports despite proof being supplied to the State, and that discussions were under way to have the condition amended.

The defence also raised concerns about the final charge sheet, further particulars and the disclosure of the police docket.

Abrahams said the defence had still not received the final charge sheet despite the case having been under investigation for a considerable period.

He also told the court that the State had been directed to disclose the docket by 12 June, but it was only handed over on 13 July.

The defence argued that the delays were prejudicing the accused’s constitutional rights, including their ability to understand the charges, prepare their defence, challenge the State’s case and have the trial concluded within a reasonable time.

The State did not respond to the defence’s submissions during the court appearance.

The court extended bail for all four accused and ordered them to return on 20 October at 08:30.

They were warned that failure to appear could result in warrants of arrest, provisional cancellation of bail and forfeiture of their bail money.

The accused remain on bail and have not been convicted. The case is ongoing.