Mpumalanga taxi boss and businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his three co-accused have rejected allegations that they threatened or intimidated state witnesses in their ongoing multimillion-rand extortion case.
According to Metro, the four men appeared before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, where the state provided an update on the case involving allegations that more than R2.2 million was extorted from a mining businessman working on the Moloto Road construction project.
Sibanyoni appeared alongside Bafana Oupa Sindane, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Makhaya Msiza. The prosecution indicated that investigations into alleged threats against investigators and key witnesses were still underway.
However, defence advocate Shaun Abrahams, who represents Sibanyoni and his co-accused, firmly distanced his clients from any alleged intimidation.
Abrahams told the court that his clients had no involvement in threats directed at individuals connected to the case or any other matter.
The defence also expressed frustration over delays in finalising the charge sheet and providing the complete case docket. Abrahams maintained that his clients were prepared to proceed to trial and called for a meeting with prosecutors to address outstanding evidence-related issues.
The case centres on allegations that an extortion network demanded monthly protection payments of R100,000 from a mining businessman, allegedly threatening to disrupt operations if the demands were not met.
Sibanyoni, whose name has also featured in proceedings before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, has denied running an extortion network and has maintained that he is being unfairly targeted.
Magistrate Phaladi granted a final postponement, with the matter scheduled to return to court on April 20, 2027, to allow the state to complete its outstanding investigations.
All four accused remain out on bail of R70,000 each, subject to strict bail conditions.
The allegations remain before the court, and the accused have not been convicted of the charges.
