The prosecution has raised concerns about alleged threats against the investigating team in the extortion and money laundering case involving taxi industry figure Johannes “Joe Ferrari” Sibanyoni, as his defence team questioned why investigators needed more time to complete their work.
The concerns emerged on Tuesday when Sibanyoni and his three co-accused appeared before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court, where their lawyers successfully applied to have their bail conditions relaxed.
The State did not oppose the application, and the court ordered the four accused to report to their respective local police stations and sign once a month.
All four remain out on bail of R70,000 each. The case was postponed to April 20, 2027, for further investigations.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the outcome in a media release issued on Tuesday.
However, proceedings also exposed tensions between the prosecution and the defence over alleged threats against investigators and the time being taken to prepare the case.
The prosecution told the court that the investigating team had reported receiving threats related to the matter, while stressing that it was not accusing any of the four men of making them.
“The second aspect may not be well relating to the main issue, but we also want to express ourselves and place on record that we received a concern from the investigating team that they are receiving threats relating to this case,” the prosecution said.
“However, we are not insinuating or making any allegation or any inferences. But also, we want to place on record that if there’s anything related to this case, it must come to an end.”
The defence challenged the concerns, demanding to know who had allegedly threatened the investigators and distancing all four accused from any such conduct.
“Who amongst the accused has threatened investigating officers? So it comes from nowhere, and all accused are distancing themselves from those threats. They have never threatened anyone. They will never threaten anyone. They are law-abiding citizens, and are here to stand for their time,” the defence said.
No evidence identifying the alleged perpetrators of the threats was provided in the information available from Tuesday’s proceedings. The prosecution also made no direct allegation against any of the accused.
Defence questions further delays
The defence also expressed frustration over the decision to postpone the matter for further investigations, arguing that the State’s position appeared inconsistent with its earlier indications that investigations had been completed and documents disclosed.
Defence lawyer Mphoke Magane questioned what investigators still needed to establish, particularly regarding the extortion charges.
“You know, this is surprising because the State, on the other hand, says the investigations are completed, have disclosed certain information. We requested further information, but now, to our surprise, today the State says they want to postpone the matter again for further investigations,” Magane told the court.
“We don’t know what they are investigating in relation to these charges.”
Magane said the court had asked what remained outstanding in the extortion matter, but the question had not been answered.
The defence’s concerns raise questions about the pace of the proceedings, although the postponement allows the State additional time to continue its investigation.
The next appearance is scheduled for April 20, 2027.
Alleged R2.2 million protection fee racket
The criminal case centres on allegations that Sibanyoni and his co-accused unlawfully demanded more than R2.2 million in protection fees from businessman Dr Thomas Ntuli between 2022 and 2025.
The State alleges that the businessman was threatened with the shutdown of his business if he failed to pay the demanded money.
Payments allegedly made to Sibanyoni were channelled and processed through an entity owned by the taxi industry figure. This forms part of the allegations underpinning the money laundering charges.
The accused are Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, Philemon Makhaya Msiza and Bafana Sindane. A company linked to Sibanyoni is also involved in the proceedings.
The four men were arrested in May 2026 and subsequently granted bail of R70,000 each.
Taxi boss faces scrutiny
Sibanyoni is a prominent figure in the taxi industry and has also appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is examining allegations of corruption and criminality within the criminal justice system.
His appearance before the commission is separate from the criminal case in Delmas.
Tuesday’s proceedings brought two competing concerns into focus: the prosecution’s warning that alleged threats against investigators must stop, and the defence’s demand for clarity about outstanding investigative work and repeated delays.
With the accused remaining on bail under less restrictive reporting conditions, the State has until the next court appearance to advance its investigation.
The case returns to the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on April 20, 2027.
