The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has reinstated Prosecutor Mkhuseli Ntaba following an internal investigation that confirmed a credible threat to his life.
Ntaba was previously suspended after failing to appear for the high-profile bail application of taxi boss Joe “Ferrari” Sibanyoni and three co-accused, who face charges of extortion and money laundering. His absence prompted a Kwaggafontein magistrate to issue an arrest warrant, triggering an inquiry by the NPA’s ethics unit.
NPA Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that the investigation verified Ntaba’s account that his safety was compromised. According to Kganyago, the prosecutor was informed en route to court on the day in question that he might be “eliminated” if he proceeded. This warning, Kganyago stated, came from an individual within a law enforcement agency who was monitoring the security situation surrounding the case.
“We wanted to verify all of the facts,” Kganyago said. “I can safely say now that that has been verified because he was communicated to by somebody who’s in a law enforcement agency who was looking at the situation around him… and we verify that and we are comfortable.”
The spokesperson added that Ntaba has been cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation and that there is no likelihood he would interfere with any remaining processes. Based on these findings, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions in Mpumalanga, decided to withdraw the suspension letter and reinstate Ntaba effective immediately.
Kganyago noted that the NPA is also conducting a broader review of security protocols for prosecutors. The National Director of Public Prosecutions has requested that the Office of Ethics and Accountability include recommendations on prosecutor safety mechanisms in its final report to ensure any systemic gaps are addressed.
“While we are looking at all of those things to understand if there has been any loopholes somewhere… it is important that we take it a little bit further,” Kganyago explained.
Ntaba will resume his duties immediately, though he will not return to the Sibanyoni matter. That case has been transferred to another court and assigned to new prosecutors and a new magistrate.
