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SAPS logo at a police station.
Police in Mpumalanga are convinced that they still have a strong case against prominent taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and three co-accused. This is despite the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s decision to strike the matter of the four off the roll on Tuesday.
The court’s decision followed the failure of prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba to appear, despite being ordered to do so, on Friday.
Sibanyoni, Oupa Sindane, Phillimon Msiza and Daniel Masilela were facing charges of extortion and money laundering.
On Friday, Ntaba informed the court that he would not be available on Monday due to other court commitments. However, the Magistrate ordered both Ntaba and the investigating officer to appear in court.
Defence attorneys representing all four accused expressed frustration after Ntaba failed to appear and subsequently applied for the matter to be struck off the roll.
They also requested that Ntaba be found guilty of contempt of court and face either imprisonment or a fine.
WATCH | NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the authority is awaiting a report from its Mpumalanga office after the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court struck the case against Joe Sibanyoni and three co-accused off the roll. He adds that the matter will be reinstated. pic.twitter.com/LjXMN78jvS
— SABC News (@SABCNews) May 18, 2026
The magistrate ruled that the matter be struck off the roll and indicated that she would authorise a warrant for Ntaba’s arrest. However, Mpumalanga police maintain that investigations are continuing and insist the case against the four accused remains strong.
Mpumalanga police say they still have a strong case against prominent Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and his three co-accused, despite the matter being struck off the roll in the Kwaggafontein Magistrates’ Court yesterday.#MorningLive #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/r7u3ru2Pek
— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) May 19, 2026
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority says it will take disciplinary action against Ntaba. It adds that this is not a setback, as the state still has the right to reinstate the case once legal requirements are met. – Reporting by Sphiwe Mkhize
RELATED VIDEO | NPA institutes disciplinary action against prosecutor in Sibanyoni case:
