In a high-profile pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, 12 May, the South African Police Service (SAPS) elite Special Task Force arrested prominent Mpumalanga taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni. The 60-year-old transport magnate, widely known for his flashy sports car collection and vast minibus taxi empire, is being held at Middelburg Police Station.
Two other suspects were detained alongside him during the raid at his home in the Pretoria/Centurion area. Police have launched a manhunt for a fourth individual. Authorities confirm the arrests are linked to an active extortion investigation.
Extortion Case Rocks Taxi Industry
The case stems from a complaint filed in November 2025 by a businessman in the mining sector. The complainant alleges that Sibanyoni and his co-accused demanded more than R25 million in “protection” money. The probe forms part of a wider SAPS crackdown on extortion rackets and violence plaguing South Africa’s lucrative but volatile minibus taxi industry.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the arrests but has not yet released full details of the charges. Sibanyoni and the two co-accused are expected to appear in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 13 May 2026.
From Taxi Driver to Transport Powerhouse
Sibanyoni rose from humble beginnings as a taxi driver in 1985 to become one of Mpumalanga’s most influential transport figures. He built a fleet reportedly exceeding 400 vehicles and expanded into buses, logistics, property, mining, construction and IT ventures. His love of luxury sports cars earned him the enduring nickname “Ferrari”.
Links to Madlanga Commission and Underworld Rivalries
The arrest comes as Sibanyoni’s name continues to feature prominently in explosive testimony at the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system. Witnesses have linked him to alleged police information leaks, bitter taxi underworld rivalries and a dramatic 2022 assassination attempt outside Centurion Golf Estate.
He has also been publicly associated with alleged organised crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala — a connection that resurfaced during commission hearings. Sibanyoni previously refused to press charges over the botched 2022 hit, publicly citing his Christian faith.
No Comment from Legal Team
As of Tuesday afternoon, Sibanyoni’s legal representatives had not issued any public statement. Police sources describe the operation as part of intensified efforts to restore order in the taxi sector, which has been marred by years of deadly turf wars and extortion demands.This is a developing story. Updates will follow after the court appearance.