Prominent Mpumalanga Taxi Boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni Arrested Over Alleged Extortion Links
- Prominent Mpumalanga taxi boss, Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni, was arrested by the Special Task Force alongside two others
- The taxi boss appeared in court alongside Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza on 13 May 2026
- South Africans weighed in on the arrest, with some noting that Sibanyoni was a powerful who had influence
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
MPUMALANGA - Prominent taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni has been arrested, police have confirmed.
According to available information, the 60-year-old Mpumalanga businessman was taken in by the Special Task Force in the early hours of Tuesday, 12 May 2026. He is reportedly being kept at a Middelburg Police Station,
Sibanyoni’s links to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala
While further details of the arrest have yet to be made available, it is believed to be linked to an extortion case. It was, however, revealed that the taxi boss was arrested alongside Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza. They made their first appearance before the Kwaggafontein Magistrate's Court on 13 May 2026.
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Police were also looking for a fourth suspect.
Sibanyoni is no stranger to headlines, as he has been linked to alleged underworld figures like Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. Matlala is formally accused of orchestrating a failed assassination attempt on Sibanyoni in August 2022 in Centurion.
His name has also featured several times in testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.
South Africans weigh in on the arrest
Social media users weighed in on the arrest, sharing varied reactions to it.
U Soso Shamase Ndonga said:
“So, all the rich boys will be absent at this year's Durban July.”
Amahle Letswalo suggested:
“This one will be released on bail just like Katiso Molefe. Save the comment.”
Mbuso C Mpanza agreed:
“They will grant him bail just now now.”
Tiro Maftown Mafa added:
“He won’t be jailed this one. A very powerful man
Emmanuel Nxumalo recalled:
“I think I've heard this name somewhere before. Two businessmen in Delmas were killed, and something about Sibanyoni came up.”
Xolani Q-jay Kabini claimed:
“It's about time. He's a very powerful man, though.”
Dineo Karabo stated:
“I am still asking myself how they got to him by that time. Phela, this is one of the most protected people in the whole taxi industry.”
Nkosinathi Gift Mavetana asked:
“He looks like a decent old man. How bad is he?”
Confidence Deli Mavimbela said:
“Imagine being arrested at his age. Facing prison at retirement age. Money is a root of evil.”
Matala to stand trial in July
In a related article, it was noted that Vusimuzi Matlala and his four co-accused would stand trial in July 2026.
Briefly News reported that Matlala faced 11 counts of attempted murder, arising from three separate shooting incidents.
The charges are in connection with three separate attempts on the lives of Tebogo Thobejane, Sibanyoni, and DJ Vettys.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
