By Johnathan Paoli
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has secured a provisional restraint order over assets worth an estimated R99-million linked to taxi boss Johannes “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and others accused of involvement in organised criminal activities, including extortion.
NPA national spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed on Thursday that the order covers luxury vehicles, properties in exclusive estates and residential developments in Centurion and Pretoria, as well as bank accounts and investments allegedly linked to the proceeds of crime.
“The restraint order advances one of the key objectives of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), namely to deprive persons of the proceeds and benefits of crime,” Kganyago said.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in Mpumalanga obtained the uncapped provisional restraint order from the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court in Middelburg last month in terms of section 26 of POCA.
The assets, currently estimated to be worth R99-million, comprise movable and immovable property believed to represent the proceeds or benefits of alleged criminal activities.
They include properties in exclusive golf estates and other residential developments in Centurion and Pretoria, a fleet of luxury vehicles, including Ferraris, a Porsche, a Lexus, Mercedes-Benz models and BMWs, as well as bank accounts and investments.
The defendants have been ordered to surrender the assets to a court-appointed curator.
Kganyago said the restraint order followed ongoing South African Police Service (SAPS) investigations into alleged extortion and related offences involving Sibanyoni and others.
“Organised crime, in its various forms, poses a serious threat to South Africa’s economy and communities. If left unchecked, extortion and related criminal activities undermine legitimate businesses, discourage investment and impede economic growth,” he said.
A provisional restraint order prevents defendants from freely dealing with assets covered by the order while legal proceedings continue. It does not, in itself, constitute a final forfeiture of the assets.
Sibanyoni is also facing separate criminal charges arising from allegations that he and three co-accused extorted more than R2.2-million from mining businessman Tengane Thomas Ntuli.
The state alleges that the accused demanded protection payments from Ntuli between 2022 and 2025, including monthly payments of about R100,000, to allow his business to continue operating on the R573 Moloto Road construction project.
Sibanyoni denies the allegations, maintaining that the money stemmed from a legitimate business arrangement involving his investment in a venture linked to Ntuli’s mining interests.
The case was postponed in the Delmas Magistrates’ Court to 20 April next year. Sibanyoni and his co-accused remain out on bail.
Sibanyoni reportedly operates a fleet of about 400 minibus taxis and has business interests in mining, construction and property.
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