Staff Reporter
Madoda Johannes Sibanyoni, known as Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni, and co-accused Oupa Johannes “Bafana” Sindane have withdrawn an urgent application aimed at blocking the execution of arrest warrants and the re-enrolment of their extortion and money laundering case, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.
“The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirms that on Friday, 29 May 2026, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mpumalanga Division, received a notice of withdrawal regarding the urgent application filed by attorneys representing Messrs Sibanyoni and Sindane,” NPA National Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said in a statement on Sunday night.
Sibanyoni, Sindane and co-accused Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza face charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering.
The state alleges the accused extorted more than R2.2 million in protection fees from mining businessman Thomas Ntuli between 2022 and 2025, after allegedly threatening that his business operations would be shut down if he did not comply.
The urgent application was filed on Wednesday to interdict the execution of a J50 warrant of arrest against all the accused in the matter.
The matter had been scheduled to be heard on Thursday at the Delmas Magistrates’ Court.
This followed a decision by prosecutors to re-enrol the criminal case, which had been struck off the court roll on 18 May in the Kwaggafontein Magistrates’ Court.
“Prosecutors had obtained a J50 warrant of arrest against the accused and requested their attorneys to present them for the re-enrolment of the matter on 28 May 2026,” Kganyago said.
“In reaction to this decision, the accused brought an urgent application against the NDPP and the DPP, challenging the execution of the warrants of arrest and, effectively, the re-enrolment of the matter, and set the matter down for Tuesday 02 June 2026, before the Mbombela High Court in Mpumalanga.”
Kganyago said the withdrawal ended the immediate dispute over the re-enrolment of the criminal case and the warrants of arrest.
“Their filing of the notice of withdrawal brings the matter to an end as far as the re-enrolment of the criminal case and the warrants of arrest are concerned,” he said.
He also welcomed confirmation that the Magistrates Commission was investigating a formal complaint filed by the DPP against Chief Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni on 26 May.
That complaint relates to Tonjeni’s handling of proceedings on 15 and 18 May, when she struck the case off the roll after prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba failed to appear, found him in contempt of court and authorised a warrant for his arrest.
The NPA said her conduct raised concerns about judicial decorum, procedural fairness and the proper administration of justice.
“We also wish to inform the public that we are still awaiting written reasons from Chief Magistrate Tonjeni and the date for the hearing of the application for leave to appeal that we filed on 22 May 2026.”
Kganyago said National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi had reaffirmed the NPA’s position that it would use all lawful means to oppose litigation it believes undermines accountability.
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