Overview
- The Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court struck the case on Monday after prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba failed to appear, with the magistrate finding him in contempt and authorizing a warrant for his arrest.
- The National Prosecuting Authority suspended Ntaba and started disciplinary action, saying the matter can return to court once the investigating officer hands the docket to the Mpumalanga DPP by May 29 and written authorization is issued.
- Mpumalanga police said their investigation remains intact, noting investigators were in court and that they still hold strong evidence against the four accused while they engage the NPA on re-enrollment.
- Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and three co-accused had faced charges of extortion and two counts of money laundering tied to about R2.2 million in alleged protection payments from 2022 to 2025.
- Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi condemned the lapse and the NDPP Andy Mothibi called it disappointing but fixable, while the NPA rejected claims that bribery led to the case’s removal from the roll.