Witnesses subpoenaed in Joe ‘Ferrari’ magistrate Tonjeni probe
The Magistrates Commission has on Wednesday confirmed that an investigator has been appointed in the case of retired Mpumalanga chief magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni.
Tonjeni made headlines over her decision to strike off the roll the extortion and money laundering matter involving taxi tycoon Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni and three others, after the prosecutor failed to attend bail proceedings.
In May, the National Prosecuting Authority filed the complaint with the magistrate’s commission and had the matter re-enrolled.
In a statement, the commission also confirmed that witnesses had been subpoenaed and would be interviewed by the investigator, who is expected to provide the commission's ethics committee with a report at the end of this month.
MAGISTRATE TONJENI RETIRES AFTER CONTROVERSIAL SIBANYONI RULING
Tonjeni retired just days after a complaint was lodged with the Magistrate's Commission.
In addition to striking the matter off the roll, she also issued a warrant of arrest for the prosecutor handling the case after finding him in contempt.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the authority believed the magistrate’s conduct and the orders issued raised “serious concerns” regarding procedural fairness and the administration of justice.
Sibanyoni, and his co-accused Mvimbi Daniel Masilela, Philemon Msiza, and Bafana Sindane face charges linked to allegations that they demanded more than R2.2 million in protection fees from a local businessman between 2022 and 2025.
The men were granted R70 000 bail following their appearance before the Delmas court
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