Mpumalanga taxi bosses Joe Sibanyoni and Bafana Sindane have launched an urgent court application to block the re-enrolment of their extortion case.
The pair approached the High Court in Mbombela on Wednesday evening after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed it intended proceeding with the matter once again.
Sibanyoni and Sindane are expected to appear in court alongside two other accused on charges linked to extortion and money laundering.
Mpumalanga Taxi Bosses Challenge Re-Enrolment Of Extortion Matter
The case was previously struck off the roll at the Kwaggerfontein Magistrate’s Court after the prosecutor failed to appear during proceedings last week.
Their legal representative, Mphoke Nagane, confirmed that an urgent application had been filed opposing the process used to bring the matter back before the courts.
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“We have filed a notice to oppose the J50 because of the view they were supposed to issue a J175 instead of a J50… A J50 is a warrant of arrest that is issued by the bench.
“So, we are opposed to it because these people are not running away. Joe is not a fugitive from justice. They know his address. They arrested him from his house. So, we feel like they’re being harsh,” said Nagane.
NPA Says It Has Not Yet Received Court Papers
Meanwhile, NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago told The Times Post that the prosecuting authority had not yet been served with the application papers.
The matter has attracted significant attention in Mpumalanga amid ongoing concerns around allegations involving the taxi industry and organised criminal activity.
It remains unclear when the High Court will hear the urgent application filed by Sibanyoni and Sindane.
