Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni. (Foto: Justice, Crime Prevention and Security/ X)
The police in Mpumalanga believe they still have a strong case against Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni (60), taxi boss from Mpumalanga, and his three co-accused despite the fact that the case against them was dropped from the list on Monday.
The case was struck off the roll in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday after the prosecutor did not turn up for the court proceedings.
“The police in Mpumalanga’s organized crime unit maintain that they still have a strong case despite the latest developments,” says col. Mavela Masondo, spokesperson for the police in the province.
The unit apparently has strong evidence.
Masondo also points out that the allegations that the relevant investigating officers were also not present in court on Monday are false.
“The investigation team arrived at the court at 08:45 this morning.”
He says the police will remain in discussion with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding the matter.
NPA needs to explain
The DA has meanwhile appealed to the NPA to explain why its prosecutor did not turn up on Monday.
“Mr. Sibanyoni is accused of extortion and money laundering, but was able to walk out of court on Monday,” says Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach, DA MP and the party’s spokesperson on justice and constitutional development.
“The charges against Mr. Sibanyoni are serious – many South Africans and their businesses are being held hostage by extortionists and hooligans. Extortion plays a major role in the economic stagnation of communities in towns and cities.”
Glynnis Breytenbach (Photo: Jacques Naude/African News Agency/ANA)
Breytenbach says it surely cannot be that South Africans are forced to endure record levels of crime while the NPA moves from one failure to the next.
“The NPA must explain its prosecutor’s absence and the resulting miscarriage of justice to the people of South Africa.”
Breytenbach says that although Sibanyoni was not found guilty, the fact that the NPA once again let a high-profile case fall through the cracks shows the lack of ability to fight crime.
“The DA has consistently called for more effective prosecution of crime to save South Africans from the scourge of crime. Those who break the law, threaten citizens and extort businesses must be held accountable, and it is the task of the NPA to ensure that this is done effectively.
“In light of problems like this, one wonders why the NPA offered attractive early retirement packages to its most experienced advocates, 47 of whom accepted and retired early at the end of April.
“It makes no sense, and it requires an explanation,” says Breytenbach.