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Taxi boss linked to ‘Cat’ Matlala Joe “Ferrari” has been arrested
BREAKING: Police have arrested high-profile taxi industry boss Joe Sibanyoni, widely known as “Ferrari,” during a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
The 60-year-old transport mogul was detained at his home in Centurion, Tshwane, before being transferred to a police station in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. Authorities have confirmed three individuals are now in custody in connection with the case.
The arrest
Elite members of the SAPS Special Task Force carried out the arrest. Sources indicate Sibanyoni is facing charges of extortion and potentially murder, though police have not yet released a full charge sheet.
The crackdown forms part of a wider investigation into the so-called “Big Five” cartel, which is alleged to control large portions of the taxi industry in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. Investigators believe the cartel is responsible for a range of serious crimes, including contract killings, drug dealing, and fraudulent tender schemes.
Sibanyoni is no stranger to violence. He survived a shooting in August 2022 outside the Centurion Golf Estate, where he was hit twice in the stomach. His alleged rival, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, is already facing trial over that attempted murder.
Ferrari
Known for his flashy lifestyle and expensive sports cars which earned him the nickname “Ferrari” – Sibanyoni built a transport empire from a single minibus in Kwaggafontein during the 1980s. Today, he commands an estimated 400 taxis and a fortune reportedly exceeding R300 million. He also serves as president of the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco).
Madlanga
His name has surfaced repeatedly before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing police corruption, organised crime, and intelligence leaks within the taxi sector. Witnesses have testified about alleged links between law enforcement officials and underworld figures, with Sibanyoni often mentioned at the centre of those claims.
Police have not provided extensive details about the arrest. National spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has directed further queries to Mpumalanga police, who are expected to hold a media briefing in the coming days.
This story is developing
