By Marcus Moloko
A fourth taxi boss is expected to join Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and two others in the dock on Friday in connection with an extortion and money laundering case.
The Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court is expected to decide on bail applications on Friday as a fourth suspect, described as a multi-millionaire taxi boss, joined prominent businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and two others in the dock.
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The group faces serious charges of extortion and money laundering linked to an alleged protection fee.
The four accused appearing before the court are Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, Philemon Msiza, and a fourth suspect whose identity will be formalized following his voluntary surrender to police.
The state alleges that the trio, and now their fourth co-accused, operated a sophisticated racket that demanded consistent payments from a local businessman over an extended period.
The appearance of the fourth suspect follows reports that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had been struggling to locate him. However, his legal representative offered a different narrative during the proceedings, emphasising that his client had been fully cooperative once he became aware of the investigation.
“He has never been at large. We have been cooperating. He was not aware that the police were looking for him up until we inquired with prosecution and the police. He has now handed himself over, he has been processed, and we will proceed with bail,” the attorney said.
While the fourth suspect handed himself over, Sibanyoni, represented by Advocate Shaun Abrahams, remains the central figure in a case that has captivated the Mpumalanga and Gauteng business communities.
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Sibanyoni is described as a man whose life is a study in stark contrasts. While he frequently maintains that he is a “man of God,” his name has become synonymous with the controversy and allegations currently being probed by the Madlanga Commission.
Sibanyoni’s rise is the stuff of township legend. He began his career in 1985 as a humble taxi driver in the dusty streets of Kwaggafontein. From a single minibus in the 1980s, he has meticulously constructed a transport and commercial empire now estimated to be worth R300 million.
Today, his holdings are vast. He reportedly owns approximately 400 taxis, generating an estimated R18 million in monthly revenue. His interests extend into trucking, property, mining, IT, and construction. Known as “Joe Ferrari” for his affinity for high-end sports cars, he reportedly owns a fleet of luxury vehicles, including four Ferraris, and maintains palatial homes in Pretoria’s elite suburbs of Mooikloof and Waterkloof.
Despite his public image as a benefactor and industry leader, having been elevated to the presidency of the South African Local and Long-Distance Taxi and Bus Association (SALLTBO) following the death of Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi, Sibanyoni’s proximity to alleged underworld figures has drawn intense scrutiny.
Testimony before the Madlanga Commission has linked him to Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, a notorious tender tycoon and alleged underworld figure, Jotham “Mswazi” Msibi, the late taxi boss.
The Madlanga Commission heard evidence of a WhatsApp message sent to Sibanyoni by suspended Sergeant Fannie Nkosi on the eve of a police raid. The message, which read “Today is Laduma,” accompanied by fist emojis, was characterised by Advocate Matthew Chaskalson as a tip-off regarding a Special Task Force operation.
Sibanyoni’s influence also reaches into the political sphere. He is closely associated with David “Mazolman” Skosana, a Member of Parliament for the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party. The pair recently made headlines for submitting a joint R15 million bid to acquire the football club Royal AM from a SARS-appointed curator.
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While Sibanyoni continues to distance himself from organised crime networks, the weight of the allegations involving extortion, money laundering, and his recurring presence in commission testimony has created a cloud of suspicion that his “man of God” persona has yet to clear.
