The extortion and money laundering case against Mpumalanga businessman Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni (60) and his four co-accused has been postponed to September 1 for the State to disclose the contents of the docket to the defence.

Kaizer Kganyago, The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) national spokesperson said in a media statement the matter was recently re-enrolled and transferred from the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court to the Delmas Magistrate’s Court due to safety and security concerns.

Sibanyoni appeared before the Delmas Magistrate’s Court today alongside his four co-accused, Phillimon Makhaya Msiza Mvimba, Daniel Masilela, Oupa Sindane, and M&J Sons, on warrants of arrest.

The accused were each granted bail of R70 000 subject to several conditions, including that they attend all court proceedings until the matter is finalised, refrain from interfering with witnesses, report to a police station every alternative week, and not commit any offence while out on bail.

The NPA has afforded the legal representatives of the accused three months to submit representations to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Mpumalanga. The representations will be considered, and the outcome will be communicated to the defence in due course.

The State alleges that between 2022 and 2025, the accused unlawfully exerted pressure on the complainant by forcing him to pay protection fees amounting to more than R2.2 million, allegedly threatening to shut down his businesses should he fail to comply. It is further alleged that the payments made by the complainant were channelled through accused number two, M&J Sons, an entity allegedly owned by accused number one.

“The NPA reaffirms its commitment to prosecuting extortion-related offences, as these crimes negatively affect economic development, threaten community safety, and place immense financial and emotional pressure on victims.”