Taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni in hot water over extortion allegations

Prominent taxi boss, Joe Sibanyoni, and two other suspects are expected to appear in the Kwaaggafontein Magistrates’ Court tomorrow on extortion-related charges.

The trio was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday between Gauteng and Mpumalanga in connection with an alleged extortion case reported in Kwaaggafontein last year.

It is alleged that the suspects demanded money from a businessman over an extended period before the matter was eventually reported to the police.

The mining businessman claims the accused attempted to extort more than R2 million from him.

Police have since launched a manhunt for a fourth suspect who remains at large.

Police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, says the possibility of additional charges against the arrested suspects cannot be ruled out.

Sibanyoni is no stranger to controversy, with his name previously featuring at the Madlanga Commission, where he was linked to alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Allegations have also emerged that Matlala was linked to an attempted hit on the taxi boss in Centurion in 2022.

Reports indicated that Sibanyoni was shot and wounded in a hail of bullets outside the Gold and Country Club Estate by unknown assailants.

Matlala currently faces charges of attempted murder relating to the alleged attack, with the trial expected to begin on 20 July.

Sibanyoni is believed to run a transport empire in Mpumalanga offering taxi, bus, and logistics services.

#sapsMP #SAPS Mpumalanga Organised Crime members have arrested three suspects, aged between 46 and 60, for #extortion in connection with a case reported in Kwaggafontein in 2025, Amongst them is a prominent businessman.

The suspects were arrested in the early hours of today,… pic.twitter.com/2UkFHCZuaI

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 12, 2026