Joe Sibanyoni’s Extortion Case Struck off the Roll After Prosecutor Fails to Appear

• The bail application of prominent Mpumalanga taxi boss, Joe Sibanyoni, was due to continue in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate's Court
• The State prosecutor, Advocate Mkhuseli Ntaba, is now in legal trouble of his own after failing to appear in court
• Sibanyonni's lawyer, Advocate Shaun Abrahams, was unhappy with the prosecutor's conduct and wanted the matter struck off the roll

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 – The extortion and money laundering case against two prominent taxi bosses in Mpumalanga has been struck off the roll.

Taxi bosses Joe Sibanyoni and Bafana Oupa Sindane, as well as Mvimbi Masilela and Philemon Msiza, appeared before the Kwaggafontein Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on 18 May 2026 for the continuation of the bail hearing.

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Sibanyoni was arrested alongside Masilela and Philemon Msiza on 12 May 2026, with police indicating that they were still looking for a fourth person. The fourth person was later identified as Sindane, also known as the King of the Sky.

The matter could not proceed, however, as the State prosecutor did not show up for court. Sibanyoni’s legal representative, Shaun Abrahams, then asked the court to remove the matter from the roll and, if that didn’t happen, to grant the accused bail.

Magistrate Siphokazi Tonjeni ruled that the matter be struck off the roll, saying it was a case of undue delay of proceedings.

National Prosecuting Authority suspends State prosecutor

Shortly after the matter was struck off the roll, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) indicated that it would be instituting disciplinary action against State prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba.

The NPA has since suspended Advocate Ntaba pending the institution of appropriate disciplinary action. The NPA’s decision comes after the prosecutor was found guilty of contempt of court and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

The NPA also noted that the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Andy Mothibi, was engaging with the Investigating Officer to see if the case could be re-enrolled.

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"While this is disappointing, it is not a setback as we are within our right and authority to reinstate the case once there is compliance with the legal provisions governing matters removed from the court roll in this manner,” Advocate Mothibi said.

Shortly after the NPA's decision, Newzroom Afrika reported that Advocate Ntaba received death threats ahead of the appearance of the Sibanyoni and the others. Some social media users noted, however, that the prosecutor indicated that he would not be available on 18 May.

On Friday, 15 May 15 2026, Advocate Ntaba informed the court that he would not be available on Monday, due to other court commitments. Magistrate Tonjeni still ordered him and the Investigating Officer to appear on Monday at 9 am anyway.

@thiathumanenzhe said:

" Didn’t this guy say he was not available today? I think the authorities are going overboard, unless of course, there are other procedures he ought to have followed."

@Wolwevanger stated:

"Man, they act fast against their own. Imagine if the NPA acted this quickly and decisively against the actual criminals."

@NathiRadebe_25 questioned:

" Aybo, isn’t the NPA supposed to back their employee? Did he lie about another case that he was already committed to for today?"

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@leojuni12623869 noted:

" The prosecutor did say he can't make it on Monday. He said he's available on Tuesday."

@SEREIMR asked:

"What was he doing that was more important than this case?"

Advocate Shaun Abrahams unhappy with Sibanyoni's arrest

In a related article, Advocate Shaun Abrahams weighed in on the National Prosecuting Authority's handling of Joe Sibanyoni's case.

Briefly News noted that Abrahams is a former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) and is now representing the Mpumalanga taxi boss.

South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the case and Abrahams' comments about the organisation he previously led.

Source: Briefly News