By Marcus Moloko
Taxi boss and businessman Madoda Johannes “Joe Ferrari” Sibanyoni, together with three co-accused, appeared in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court this week on charges of extortion and money laundering. Their bail application is expected to resume on Monday.
Sibanyoni, who has business interests in housing development, social housing, and mining, is accused of seeking a share from the Moloto Road (R573) construction project, according to a Sunday Times report, with access to an insider.
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According to the insider, Sibanyoni allegedly wanted a cut from the lucrative development.
While his legal representative, former Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams, argued that Sibanyoni had a legitimate business relationship with the complainant, sources told the Sunday Times that no such relationship existed.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges that between 2022 and 2025, Sibanyoni and his associates extorted more than R2.2 million in “protection fees” from a prominent Mpumalanga mining and infrastructure businessman.
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Prosecutors claim the accused threatened to shut down operations if payments were not made. The funds were allegedly laundered through multiple accounts to disguise their origins.
The co-accused include Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, Philemon Makhaya Msiza, and Oupa Josiah Bafana Sindane, a millionaire taxi boss who recently handed himself over to police.
Police said Sindane had been evading arrest, though his defense team disputes this, insisting he was unaware he was wanted until contacted for questioning.
Sibanyoni’s name has long been linked to underworld figures and has surfaced repeatedly in testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, probing police leaks, alleged taxi cartels, and corruption in the transport sector.
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Sibanyoni has also been associated with alleged crime boss Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
Despite the mounting allegations, Sibanyoni maintains his innocence.
While in court, he described himself as a “man of God” who preaches to inmates, insisting that the charges were unfounded.
His defense team argues that the transactions were part of a legitimate business arrangement, a claim the state intends to challenge with forensic banking evidence and insider testimony.
Friday’s bail hearing was delayed after defense lawyers complained about the late arrival of the state prosecutor. The postponement means Sibanyoni and his co-accused remain in custody until proceedings resume on Monday.
