Former Chief Magistrate Tuletu Tonjeni has retired from the judiciary just days after a complaint was lodged against her over her handling of the high-profile case involving taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni.
Tonjeni reportedly stepped down on 29 May 2026, bringing an end to her judicial career shortly after controversy erupted over her decision to strike the case off the roll in the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court.
On 15 and 18 May 2026, Tonjeni removed the extortion and money laundering case against Sibanyoni and his co-accused from the court roll after prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba failed to appear. The decision resulted in the immediate release of the accused.
Following the ruling, a complaint was submitted to the Magistrates Commission regarding Tonjeni’s conduct in the matter.
However, legal sources indicate that because Tonjeni has now retired, the commission no longer has disciplinary jurisdiction over her, meaning she is unlikely to face any formal disciplinary proceedings arising from the complaint.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority has re-enrolled the matter in Delmas. Sibanyoni and three co-accused were subsequently re-arrested and later released on bail of R70,000 each.
The case is scheduled to return to court on 1 September 2026 as criminal proceedings continue.
Tonjeni’s retirement comes amid ongoing public debate about accountability within the criminal justice system and the handling of high-profile cases.
