Johannesburg – The extortion and money laundering case against taxi tycoon Joe Sibanyoni and three co-accused was struck off the roll by the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday after the prosecutor failed to appear in court.
Sibanyoni, along with taxi boss Bafana Sindane and others, faces allegations linked to claims that a Mpumalanga businessman was forced to pay millions of rand in protection fees over several years.
Proceedings collapsed during a scheduled bail application after the court found the State had failed to comply with instructions for all parties to be present at 9am.
BREAKING: Matter has been struck off the roll.
Joe SIbanyoni
Mvimbi Masilela
Philemon Msiza
Bafana Oupa SindaneWalk free. @eNCA #eNCA #JoeSibanyoni pic.twitter.com/OSzUwOhlMI
— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) May 18, 2026
Former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams, representing the accused, criticised the prosecution and urged the court to take action over what he described as gross incompetence.
The magistrate ruled in favour of the defence, struck the matter from the roll, and referred the prosecutor’s conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority. Sibanyoni welcomed the outcome, maintaining his innocence.
BREAKING NEWS: The high-profile extortion and money laundering case against taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and three co-accused has been struck off the roll by the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court after the prosecutor failed to appear. Joe Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Masilela, Philemon Msiza and… pic.twitter.com/eA4yu7UrUe
— BEAST OF NEWS (@EversonLuhanga) May 18, 2026
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
