By Johnathan Paoli
The Mpumalanga SAPS has confirmed the arrest of three suspects, one of whom is believed to be controversial businessman, Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, by the provincial Organised Crime unit in connection with an extortion case reported in Kwaggafontein last year.
In a statement on Tuesday, provincial spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the three accused, aged between 46 and 60, were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning in operations in both Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
“It is alleged that the suspects demanded money from a businessman over an extended period of time until he reported the matter at Kwaggafontein Police Station. The case was referred to the SAPS Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit for further investigation, which led to the arrests,” said.
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Police said they were are not allowed to name the suspects before they appear in court.
Media reports have said Sibanyoni is among the arrested.
They are expected to appear in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of extortion.
Masondo said that a fourth suspect remains at large and said that additional charges could still be added as investigations continue.
“At this stage the police cannot rule out the possibilities of adding more charges against the arrested suspects, in relation to other cases, as the investigation continues,” he said.
Sibanyoni’s name has repeatedly surfaced in testimony before the Madlanga Commission about underworld involvement in policing operations.
