The Magistrates Commission has confirmed that retired Chief Magistrate Tuleto Tonjeni officially left office at the end of May, while also announcing that a complaint lodged against her in connection with the controversial bail proceedings involving taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and his co-accused will be prioritised for urgent consideration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission sought to clarify questions surrounding Tonjeni’s retirement and the status of complaints relating to her handling of the high-profile matter before the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court.
According to the Commission, Tonjeni formally notified the body on 9 July 2025 of her intention to retire in terms of the Magistrates Act. Her retirement took effect on 31 May 2026, with her final working day having been Friday, 29 May.
The Commission revealed that it received a supplementary complaint from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on the same day that Tonjeni concluded her duties.
The complaint has been registered under reference number 234/2026 and forms part of a growing controversy surrounding the bail proceedings involving Sibanyoni and several co-accused.
While the Commission did not disclose details of the allegations contained in the complaint, it acknowledged the significant public interest in the matter and confirmed that it had requested its Ethics Committee to consider the issue out of turn during its next scheduled meeting in mid-June.
“The Commission appreciates that this complaint is in the public interest and has requested the Ethics Committee to consider the matter out of turn,” spokesperson and Ethics Committee chairperson Advocate N Manaka said.
The Commission also appealed to the public and media to allow due process to take its course while the complaint is being assessed.
The development comes amid mounting scrutiny of the handling of the Sibanyoni case, which has attracted widespread attention due to the profile of the accused and the serious nature of the charges involved.
Sibanyoni is a prominent Mpumalanga taxi industry figure. The case has generated intense public debate, particularly after the granting of bail to the accused sparked criticism and prompted the NPA to raise concerns about aspects of the proceedings.
Last month, the NPA announced that it had lodged a formal complaint with the Magistrates Commission regarding Tonjeni’s conduct during the bail application. Prosecuting authorities have also pursued legal avenues to challenge the bail ruling.
The latest announcement by the Commission suggests the matter could move swiftly despite Tonjeni’s retirement, as the Ethics Committee prepares to consider whether further action is warranted.
Legal experts have previously noted that retirement does not automatically prevent judicial oversight bodies from examining complaints relating to conduct while an official was still serving in office.
For now, attention will turn to the Commission’s mid-June meeting, where the complaint is expected to receive priority consideration.
The outcome could have significant implications not only for the retired magistrate but also for public confidence in the administration of justice in one of Mpumalanga’s most closely watched criminal cases.
