Taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni says he’s ‘a man of God’ amid extortion allegations

Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni

Mpumalanga – Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni has denied involvement in a multimillion-rand extortion case after appearing in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court alongside co-accused Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza.

The trio faces charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering after being arrested by the South African Police Service.

Police allege they extorted about R2 million from a Mpumalanga businessman over an extended period, prompting the victim to open a case at the Kwaggafontein police station.

A fourth suspect is still being sought.

Speaking in court, Sibanyoni denied wrongdoing, saying: “I’m not involved with this case. For now, I am preaching because there are prisoners in jail and in court.”

When questioned about his innocence, he replied: “I am a man of God.”

The State requested a postponement to gather additional evidence ahead of bail proceedings, while Sibanyoni’s lawyer, former National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams, argued the defence was ready to proceed and described the State’s case as “absolutely weak to non-existent”.

Abrahams claimed Sibanyoni had a longstanding business relationship with the complainant, insisting there was “no extortion” or money laundering involved and alleging the charges were “trumped-up”.

He also criticised the National Prosecuting Authority for poor communication and said Sibanyoni intends pursuing a defamation case against the complainant.

The court postponed the matter to Friday, 15 May, for formal bail proceedings, with Magistrate DJ Erasmus confirming that Sibanyoni and his co-accused would remain in custody until then.

Sibanyoni has previously been mentioned during testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and linked to alleged underworld figures, including tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. However, prosecutors said the current case is unrelated to the commission’s work.

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