11
Prosecutor in Joe Sibanyoni case claims he felt unsafe
In a stunning development, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has disclosed that the state prosecutor who failed to appear in the Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni extortion case had expressed fears for his personal safety and has since gone missing.
Speaking at an emergency briefing on Tuesday, NPA head Andy Mothibi confirmed that the prosecutor at the center of the collapsed case alerted superiors to security concerns prior to his no-show. That absence led a magistrate to strike the matter from the roll, allowing Sibanyoni and his co-accused to walk free.
“We have received indications that the prosecutor felt unsafe,” Mothibi told journalists, marking the first official acknowledgment that intimidation may have derailed the high-stakes prosecution against the alleged taxi cartel kingpin.
From No-Show to Disappearance
The drama erupted on Monday at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court. Prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba was expected to lead the State’s bail application against Sibanyoni, co-accused Bafana Sindane, and two others charged with extortion and money laundering. The group allegedly forced a Mpumalanga businessman to pay R2 million in protection fees.
When Ntaba failed to arrive, Chief Magistrate Tule Tu Tonjeni found him in contempt of court, issued an arrest warrant, and struck the case from the roll. The accused were immediately released.
Defense lawyer Shaun Abrahams himself a former NPA head successfully argued that the State’s collapse amounted to gross negligence.
But the NPA now reveals the situation may be far graver than administrative failure. Not only did Ntaba miss the hearing, the authority has been unable to reach him since.
“We are unable to even think or speculate on what could’ve happened,” said NPA Special Director Mthunzi Mhaga, confirming the prosecutor is currently untraceable.
Warnings Before the Hearing
Sources close to the investigation say red flags appeared days earlier. Ntaba had reportedly asked for a postponement due to a scheduling clash in another matter. Magistrate Tonjeni allegedly refused, with one insider claiming the magistrate told the prosecutor: “I will push it down your throat.”
Faced with a direct court order he could not obey and fearing for his own safety Ntaba simply did not show up. The NPA’s Office of Ethics and Accountability has now launched an urgent inquiry into whether the prosecutor’s security concerns were legitimate.
A Shocking Turn for the Defense
For Sibanyoni, a man who calls himself a “servant of God” and survived a 2022 assassination attempt—the case collapse was a dramatic victory. “I am innocent,” he told reporters as he left court. Co-accused Sindane added, “There are no charges.”
The NPA insists the case being struck off the roll is not an acquittal, and officials say they are working to reinstate the matter. However, legal experts point out that requires written approval from the Director of Public Prosecutions. With the lead prosecutor missing and allegedly fearing for his life, that path looks increasingly uncertain.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has welcomed the prosecutor’s suspension pending a probe. Meanwhile, opposition parties and legal watchdogs are demanding answers: Who if anyone threatened an officer of the court?
The NPA confirms disciplinary action is underway against Ntaba for the contempt finding. But if his disappearance is linked to criminal intimidation, the investigation could take a far more serious turn.
