NELSPRUIT - Mpumalanga police believe that they have a strong case against prominent taxi boss Joe 'Ferrari' Sibanyoni and his three co-accused.
This comes after the case against the four men accused of extortion and money laundering was struck off the roll by the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo said an Organised Crime Investigation was conducted, resulting in all four suspects being charged.
"Strong evidence against the suspects with regard to the matter remains intact."
The taxi bosses, draped in black suits and some with sunglasses, walked out of court free after they had spent the weekend behind bars, after the matter was postponed on Friday.
READ | Taxi bosses to spend weekend behind bars
On Monday, when the matter returned to court, the prosecutor and the investigating officer failed to pitch.
This resulted in the matter being struck off the roll, and a warrant of arrest for the prosecutor was issued after he was found guilty of contempt of court.
But Masondo argued otherwise.
He said, "It should be noted that reports alleging that SAPS investigating officers were not present in court are false. The investigating team arrived in court at 08:45 this morning."
Masondo said the SAPS will continue with engagement with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding the case.
The NPA, in the meantime, has suspended the prosecutor in the case as it moves to institute disciplinary action against him.
At the same time, National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothini, said they are engaging with the investigating officer to facilitate the re-enrolment of the case.