The Magistrates Commission has initiated an investigation into retired Senior Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni following a complaint from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding her handling of a fraud and money laundering case involving Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni.
The inquiry centers on the case being struck off the roll after a prosecutor failed to appear. Senior Prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba, who was found in contempt of court, is expected to testify.
The investigation, confirmed by NPA spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago, commenced today.
Tonjeni sparked significant controversy in May 2026 after striking a high-profile extortion and money laundering case off the court roll and convicting the state prosecutor of contempt of court.
The institutional backlash stems from a May 2026 hearing involving taxi tycoon Madoda Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and three co-accused.
The state alleges that the syndicate extorted roughly R2.2 million from a local businessman.
When State Prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba failed to appear for the scheduled bail proceedings amid reports that the prosecution team faced safety threats from the syndicate Tonjeni lost patience.
She cited unreasonable delays and issued two highly controversial orders.
Tonjeni’s swift, aggressive measures drew immediate condemnation from multiple sectors of the South African legal system.
The NPA lodged a formal grievance against her with the Magistrates Commission.
The NPA cited severe procedural irregularities, including Tonjeni’s inappropriate use of language and illegally convening a court session that should have been managed by the prosecution.
Civic groups, including the South African National Christian Forum (SANCF), publicly appealed to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to investigate whose interests Tonjeni was serving when she released the syndicate.
The NPA quickly filed for leave to appeal her rulings in the High Court.
The underlying criminal case against Sibanyoni was successfully re-enrolled in Delmas shortly thereafter.
Adding to the public scrutiny, Tonjeni retired from the bench on 29 May 2026, just days after the NPA submitted its formal complaint.
Although Tonjeni had given notice of her intent to retire in 2025, the timing of her final exit sparked further frustration.