UPDATE | Police confirm taxi kingpin Joe ‘Ferrarri’ Sibanyoni among 3 arrested for extortion

Mpumalanga police have confirmed that prominent taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni has been arrested with two other suspects in connection with an extortion case.

The well-known taxi boss was taken from his residence by heavily armed officers early Tuesday morning.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the arrests to IOL News, including Sibanyoni’s.

“Members of Mpumalanga SAPS Organised Crime arrested three suspects this (Tuesday) morning in relation to the case of extortion.”

Masondo said the charges were laid in 2025.

“The extortion charges were laid in Kwaggerfontein in 2025. Their ages range from 46 to 60 years.”

Masondo told IOL News that one suspect in the case remains outstanding.

“The case relates to extortion. However, we cannot rule out other cases the suspects are facing, but as for now, we are talking about extortion,” he said.

According to Masondo, the detainees will appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

However, the police have not provided full details regarding the case.

Sibanyoni is a prominent figure in the taxi industry.

Although the charges have not yet been confirmed, Sibanyoni has allegedly been linked to underworld figures, including businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Sibanyoni’s name was also implicated during the Madlanga Commission. 

He has been linked to the so-called “Big Five” cartel, a group implicated in taxi violence, murders, and corruption within the Gauteng taxi industry.

In 2022, an attempted murder case involving Sibanyoni was investigated after a white BMW was linked to suspects, including Matlala, who allegedly wanted him killed.

Matlala is currently facing charges in the same case.

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