NPA Files Complaint Against Magistrate in the Joe Sibanyoni Extortion and Money Laundering Case

• The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is unhappy with the conduct of Chief Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni
• Magistrate Tonjeni was in charge of the Joe Sibanyoni extortion and money laundering case and struck it off the roll
• The magistrate also found the prosecutor guilty of contempt of court and issued a warrant for his arrest

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 National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has filed a complaint against Chief Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni.

Chief Magistrate Tonjeni presided over the bail application of Joe Sibanyoni, Bafana Sindane, Mvimbi Masilela, and Philemon Msiza on 18 May 2026. Sibanyoni, Sindane, Masilela and Msiza are accused of extorting over R2 million from a Mpumalanga business over the course of three years. The quartet were also charged with money laundering.

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The magistrate struck the matter off the roll in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court after the State prosecutor failed to appear, despite him previously saying he would not be available on the day due to other commitments.

Chief Magistrate Tonjeni also found him guilty of contempt of court and issued a warrant for his arrest. Many South Africans were unhappy with the ruling, questioning whether there was more to it than met the eye, especially after reports surfaced that the prosecutor received death threats ahead of the bail application.

NPA files complaint with the Magistrates Commission

On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, the NPA filed a complaint against Chief Magistrate Tonjeni with the Magistrates Commission. NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago explained the decision, saying that they felt that certain aspects were not properly handled.

“The NPA holds the firm view that the conduct reflected in the proceedings raises serious institutional concerns relating to judicial decorum, procedural fairness and the proper administration of justice,” a statement from the NPA read.

What you need to know about the Sibanyoni case

• Prominent Mpumalanga taxi boss, Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni, was arrested by the Special Task Force alongside two others.
• Sibanyoni’s extortion and money laundering case was struck off the roll after the prosecutor failed to appear in court.
• Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has described the outcome of the Joe Sibanyoni bail application as an embarrassment to the criminal justice system.
• Advocate Mkhuseli Ntaba accused the court of violating his constitutional right after a warrant of arrest was issued for him.
• The NPA confirmed that the matter against Sibanyoni and his co-accused was re-enrolled and would be heard before the Delmas Magistrate's Court.

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Sibanyoni and Sindane party after the court's ruling

In a related article, Sibanyoni and Sindane were seen celebrating the magistrate's decision to strike the matter off the roll.

Briefly News reported that the two prominent taxi bosses were seen dancing at some sort of party after they found that they were free men.

South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the situation surrounding the case and the pair's decision to celebrate the outcome.

Source: Briefly News