Taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni during his appearance at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

• A fourth suspect surrendered to police on Friday regarding an alleged extortion scheme involving taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni and two others.
• The group faces serious charges of extortion and money laundering after allegedly forcing a local businessman to pay protection money totalling approximately R2.2 million since 2022.
• While the defence claims full cooperation with authorities, the four accused remain in custody and are expected to apply for bail during their court appearance.

A fourth person linked to the alleged extortion case involving taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni handed himself over to police on Friday morning, his legal team said.

The man handed himself over at the Kwaggafontein police station and is expected to appear alongside Sibanyoni and two co-accused, Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza, on charges of extortion and money laundering.

They are alleged to have extorted a businessman to the tune of R2 million.

They are expected to apply for bail.

Attorney Mphoke Magane, who represents both Sibanyoni and the fourth accused, said his client had been cooperating with authorities and had never evaded arrest.

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“My client, immediately after being aware that the police were looking for him, through us, cooperated up until this morning when he was handed over,” Magane said.

Magane said his client only became aware that police were looking for him after consultations with the prosecution and investigating officers.

He said: “He was not aware that the police were looking for him until we inquired from the prosecution and the police.”

However, Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Mavela Masondo, earlier this week said they had contacted him and requested that he hand himself over.

The accused were charged following an investigation launched after a businessman reported that he had allegedly been subjected to ongoing extortion demands over an extended period.

According to the charge sheet, between 2022 and 2025, the three accused exerted pressure on him by threatening to shut down his business unless he made payments to them.

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The State further alleges that the accused inspired fear in the businessman and forced him to pay protection money amounting to about R2.2 million during the period in question, and that the accused knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that the money they received was the proceeds of unlawful activities linked to extortion.

It is further alleged that the four arranged for the money to be paid into bank accounts before accessing it through cash withdrawals, transfers, cheques and purchases.

Some of the funds were used to pay creditors and other people known and unknown to investigators.

Outside the court on Friday, a small group of supporters gathered holding placards reading “We love you, Joe Ferrari” and “Free Joe Sibanyoni Ferrari”.

Another placard read: “Free Mvimbi Masilela Chairman”.