Joe Sibanyoni Extortion Case Struck Off Roll After Prosecutor Fails To Appear

The extortion case against taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and his three co-accused was struck off the court roll on Monday after a state prosecutor failed to appear at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court.

The matter was scheduled to continue as part of an ongoing bail hearing involving allegations of extortion and money laundering. Proceedings were expected to begin at 9am but were delayed due to the absence of state advocate Mkhuseli Ntaba.

Shaun Abrahams Slams Prosecutor In Joe Sibanyoni Case

Siba-nyoni’s lawyer, former national director of public prosecutions Shaun Abrahams, criticised Ntaba’s conduct and told the court he intended pursuing a contempt of court application.

Abrahams argued that Mpumalanga Chief Magistrate Tule-tu Siphokazi Tonjeni had specifically instructed the prosecutor to appear in court despite earlier indications that Ntaba would not be available.

“As an officer of the court, the prosecutor had a duty to obey this court’s order; yet he chose the alternate route.

“My learned friend has been disrespectful to these pending judicial proceedings,” Abrahams said.

Magistrate Issues Arrest Warrant For Prosecutor

Chief Magistrate Tonjeni described the prosecutor’s absence as unacceptable and confirmed that the court had received no clear indication of when Ntaba would arrive.

“The conduct of Mr Ntaba has left my mind boggled,” she said.

“He would have been here by now if he had an interest to be here or to comply with the order that was made.”

The magistrate then struck the matter off the roll and authorised a warrant for Ntaba’s arrest. She further indicated that complaints would be submitted to the Legal Practice Council and the Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga.

The ruling sparked loud celebrations inside the courtroom. Speaking afterwards, Sibanyoni said: “I was always positive about today’s matter.”

NPA Suspends Prosecutor Amid Court Fallout

The National Prosecuting Authority later confirmed that Ntaba had been suspended pending disciplinary action. The NPA also stated it would assess the magistrate’s ruling and determine the next legal steps.

“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,” said Andy Mothibi.

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Sibanyoni, alongside Bafana Oupa Sindane, Phillmon Makhaya Msiza and Mvimba Daniel Masilela, faces charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering.

The state alleges that between 2022 and 2025 the accused forced a businessman in the Nkangala district to pay more than R2.2 million in so-called protection fees. Prosecutors further claim the money was moved through several bank accounts to conceal its origin.

Three of the accused were arrested on 12 May, while Sindane later handed himself over to police after allegedly attempting to evade arrest.